Record-breaking Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist said on Wednesday he was upbeat about his chances of taking part in the lucrative inaugural Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL). The six-week competition kicks off in April and the 36-year-old wicket-keeper batsman would be a huge draw, commanding a hefty pay packet.
Tournament organisers and international boards have an agreement that bans players from participating in the IPL until two years after retirement but Gilchrist said he expected to receive an exemption from Cricket Australia.
"As far as I know at the moment, Cricket Australia haven't given me any indication they wouldn't want me to be part of that, but I'm not 100 per cent sure," said Gilchrist.
"We're just trying to confirm that. It is moving quickly and we're just trying to get a gauge of where it's at so we'll know more in the next few days." While he waits for confirmation of his IPL future, Gilchrist, the record holder for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket, is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Sri Lanka in Friday's triangular one-day series clash in Sydney.
The last time the sides met in a one-day international, Gilchrist smashed an incredible 149 from 104 balls in the World Cup final last April and said he wanted to give Australian fans one last innings to remember in his farewell series.
"I'd love to produce a big score for the fans, for the team more importantly," he said. "It has been a wonderful, overwhelming reception everywhere I have gone since announcing my retirement." With the first two matches of the series washed out, both sides will be keen to post their first win at the SCG.
Opener Matthew Hayden will return for Friday's game, with seamer Stuart Clark also available after missing Tuesday's clash with India for personal reasons. Gilchrist dismissed concerns about the home side's fielding after more catches went to ground against India in the series opener on Tuesday, continuing a worrying trend from the recent Test series.
"Look, as long as cricket is played, there is going to be dropped catches," Gilchrist said. "It's expected and when you don't catch them it's glaringly obvious, particularly if you set the standards we set. "All we can continue to do is to keep working hard at training and trying to make sure we are as sharp as possible come game day."