There are few cricketers who can claim to have revolutionised the game of cricket as Adam Gilchrist had. From the inception of the game, wicketkeepers have existed and were expected to do nothing more than keep well behind the stumps but since Gilchrist made his international debut in 1996, he changed all of that.
As he turns 45, it is incredible to note the impact that the Australian wicketkeeper has had on the game. From breaking out as an explosive middle-order batsman to being a counter-attacker in Tests and one of the best limited-overs openers to have played the game, Gilchrist has done it all.
In an international career that spanned 12 years, the 45-year-old scored over 15,000 runs across all formats at a rapid pace. In 96 Tests, he scored 5,570 at an average of 47.60 but what was more impressive as his contribution to the change of mindset that the keepers are only there to keep.
His counter-attacking approach to the game had every other country looking to replicate his exploits, largely without much success. Although it has nearly been a decade since his retirement from international cricket, the way in which he evoked fear in the minds of opposing bowlers still remains fresh in the memory of many.
Here is how the cricket fraternity wished the explosive former Australian wicketkeeper as he turned 45.
Sachin Tendulkar:
Herschelle Gibbs:
Parthiv Patel:
Gautam Gambhir:
Virender Sehwag:
Aakash Chopra:
Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee:
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