Gilchrist’s captaincy did the trick for Deccan Chargers: Afridi

Adam Gilchrist’s captaincy did the trick for Deccan Chargers in winning the Indian Premier League (IPL), according to Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Afridi was the first to raise his voice for a change of leadership in Deccan Chargers last year, when the star studded Deccan Chargers finished last in the inaugural season of the IPL. Afridi hit out at the team’s then captain – V.V.S. Laxman – and urged the franchise owners to appoint Gilchrist as captain.

Afridi was a member of the Deccan Chargers last summer and was one of the biggest flops in the competition that was won by underdogs Rajasthan Royals.

“I have nothing against (VVS) Laxman,” Afridi told reporters during a visit to a charity camp here. “He is a great Test batsman but he is not as good in the Twenty20 format,” added Afridi, who missed the second edition of the IPL along with his other compatriots because of strained relations between Pakistan and India.

“Last year, I believed that we (Deccan) flopped in the event because of Laxman’s poor captaincy. I spoke my mind about it and urged the team management to instead try out Gilchrist as captain. They did exactly that and look how well the team performed.”

Afridi said that Gilchrist is an aggressive cricketer and that reflected in his captaincy. “He is very attacking and very competitive,” he said.

The Karachi-based Afridi was very pleased with the title-winning triumph of the Chargers, who defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL final Sunday in Johannesburg.

“I may not be a part of it but Deccan Chargers is my team and I was supporting it all the way,” said the flamboyant cricketer. Afridi hoped that India-Pakistan relations will improve soon and the Pakistani cricketers will be able to resume their IPL careers