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Gilchrist not averse to sledging Ponting

Gilchrist said on Saturday that he was not averse to sledging compatriots Ricky Ponting and David Hussey during the Indian Premier League match here

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KOLKATA: Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist said on Saturday that he was not averse to sledging compatriots Ricky Ponting and David Hussey during the Indian Premier League match here on Sunday, but said the exchanges would be funny and in keeping with the spirit of cricket.
    
"Whether I sledge Ponting or not, depends on the runs he scores. But I can't say I won't sledge," Gilchrist said on the eve of his team Deccan Chargers' inaugural tie against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on the morrow.
    
Ponting and Hussey are important members of the Kolkata Knight Riders' batting arsenal.
    
"But they are my Australian teammates. So, the exchange of words will be in a funny way and the spirit of cricket will not be compromised," Gilchrist said after his team's practice session.
    
On New Zealand stumper-willower Brendon McCullum's out-of-the-world 158 at Bangalore on Friday night, Gilchrist said he had messaged the Kolkata Knight Riders player immediately after the match.
    
"My SMS said, 'Terrific knock. but please don't play such an innings against us,'" Gilchrist said.

Asked whether he was planning to play a similar cracker of an innings on the morrow, Gilchrist said, "You can't plan such knocks. In Twenty20, time is short. So there is not much time to plan for such assault. Whatever happens, happens on the field."
    
On whether he was wary of a hostile reception to Andrew Symonds, who got involved in a racial controvery with Harbhajan Singh Down Under, Gilchrist said the talented willower was very relaxed ever since stepping on Indian soil.
    
"When we reahed Hyderabad, the reception was warm".
    
However, Giclshrist said he was not sure about the kind of reception Symomds would get at the ground.
    
"I can't say about that till he sets foot there. But I know the Eden crowd is known for its sporting spirit," he said.
    
Gilchrist said the Deccan Chargers had a very strong batting line-up, and the side would do well in the tournament if it played true to its potential.
    
Gilchrist said though he had retired from Test and ODIs, he was enjoying the atmosphere in the Indian Premier League.
    
Gilchrist likened the festive atmosphere at the Eden to a rock concert.
    
"I've seen the classical atmosphere of Test matches here. Playing before a crowd of one lakh was very enthralling. But today it's a completely different atmosphere, with the decorations and the high pitched sound. Its the atmosphere of a rock concert", he said.
    
On Kolkata Knight Riders, he said, "They are a good opposition. I'm looking forward to playing a good and exciting match".
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