Adam Gilchrist turns 48: The Aussie keeper's top 3 IPL moments

It has been six years since Adam Gilchrist last played in the IPL and somehow, the legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batsman still remains among the Top-30 run-scorers in the tournament's history. The 2009 Player-of-the-tournament's IPL career had it all - entertainment, intensity, and a lot of memorable moments. On the occasion of Gilly's 48th birthday on Thursday, let us take a look at three of the most special moments Gilchrist has produced in the IPL.

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3. Knocking Delhi out in the semi-final (2009)

Gilchrist quite literally dominated the 2009 IPL. Before the Deccan Chargers won their first and only IPL title, they knocked out the table-toppers, the erstwhile Delhi Daredevils in the semifinals, thanks to Gilchrist's brilliance. Deccan came out to chase DD's 154 and captain Gilchrist smashed 21 runs in the very first over of the innings. He then raced to his fifty in 17 balls, the fastest-ever in an IPL match - a record he held for five years. Gilchrist made 85 in just 35 balls before he got out to Amit Mishra in the tenth over but it was evident that the Chargers had already won. Chargers went on to defeat RCB in the finals and Gilchrist was the Player-of-the-tournament.

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2. Record-breaking second IPL hundred (2011)

The biggest six in the IPL's history was hit in this match. After a slow start in the first 6 overs, Gilchrist raced to 55 in 25 balls, hitting a 122-metre six off a knuckleball by Charl Langeveldt. Gilly and Shaun Marsh stitched a 206-run partnership for the second wicket, which was the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 cricket, until 2015. Gilchrist ended the innings at 106, becoming the second player to get two IPL hundreds. KXIP won by a massive 111 runs. KXIP's total of 232/2 is the team's highest total, till this day.

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1. Getting Harbhajan Singh's wicket (2013)

KXIP were out of the playoffs race and were facing Mumbai Indians in their final match of the season at Dharmasala. Gilchrist had already announced that he would be retiring from the IPL after this match. He could not do much with the bat, only managing 5. KXIP dominated the match and only an over remained in Mumbai's chase with an unattainable 51 runs required. To everyone's surprise, Gilchrist took off his pads and came into bowl with an uncomfortable-looking Praveen Kumar keeping the wickets in his place. On strike was Gilchrist's 'nemesis' Harbhajan Singh. Gilchrist bowled a slow 'off-spinner' and Bhajji lofted it towards the boundary. Bhajji was out and the match was over! Gilchrist celebrated with the 'Gangnam Style' dance before taking out the stumps and being given a guard of honour by the KXIP squad as he waved goodbye to his fans, one last time.

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