News

Teams need complete buy-in from players - Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist and Aakash Chopra stressed the importance of work ethic and a shared vision within Twenty20 outfits for success in the shortest format

Cricinfo staff
06-Apr-2010
Adam Gilchrist: "It only takes one chink in the armour who doesn't take up the slack or maintain the standards, to make standards fall"  •  Associated Press

Adam Gilchrist: "It only takes one chink in the armour who doesn't take up the slack or maintain the standards, to make standards fall"  •  Associated Press

Adam Gilchrist, the Deccan Chargers captain, believes that success in the Twenty20 format - and especially in the multi-cultural IPL - depends heavily on the ability of every single player to believe in, and work towards the team's cause.
"Whatever the group, you need complete buy-in into the team," Gilchrist said, speaking to Harsha Bhogle on Cricinfo's Time Out talk show. "You need everyone on board and it only takes one chink in the armour who doesn't take up the slack or maintain the standards that you as leader and the rest of the team want to be part of, to make it fall down."
"That is something we were impressed with in the Chargers in the turnaround. We have had our ups and downs this year but I feel confident with the buy-in from our players and their believing in our culture. But once you are struggling, particularly if it is a high-profile player, where others may lead or follow, it makes it difficult," Gilchrist said.
Gilchrist was reacting to a point raised by former India opener Aakash Chopra, who also participated in the show. Chopra drew from his experience playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2009 edition of the IPL, to stress on the importance of work ethic in the Twenty20 format. While Gilchrist led Deccan Chargers to the title, Kolkata Knight Riders finished at the bottom of the table.
"Talent has to be mixed with the work ethic and youngsters don't have a problem absorbing work ethics if they work for people who are extremely successful at the international level," Chopra said.
"The problem starts where there is a bigger player who doesn't adhere to those work ethics and that is where it is difficult for a leader to put things in perspectives. Coming from Kolkata I know how the system works there and John Buchanan had a rough time dealing with certain individuals," Chopra said.
Click here to access the talk show.