IPL 2009 Final - Gilchrist to Lead Deccan in Final

Former Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist is a match winner.

His 104-ball 149 in the final of the 2007 World Cup against Sri Lanka won his country their third consecutive title and yesterday he blasted the Deccan Chargers into the final of this year’s Indian Premier League against Banglore Royal Challengers.

Gilchrist scored the fastest 50 in IPL history smashing eight fours and two sixes to bring up his half century in just 16 balls to have the sports betting public salivating at what could come in the final.

He eventually went on to score 86 in just 35 balls to single-handedly destroy any chance of the Delhi Daredevils to reach the final.

Deccan’s six-wicket win was not just about Gilchrist with Deccan’s bowlers finally finding a line and length and pinning batsmen down to force mistakes and slow the run rate.

It is something they have been guilty of not doing in the past and Ryan Harris’ 3/27 off four overs, including openers Gautam Gambhir and David Warner in the first over to have Delhi 2/0 off one over, set the tone for the rest of the attack.

RP Singh then chimed in to claim 2/33 off four overs.

If Deccan are to beat Royal Challengers today than they will again want Gilchrist to fire at the top along with South African blaster Herschelle Gibbs. If either of those two can get going then Deccan can set a decent total which is exactly what they will need if they are to beat Banglore.

The other thing that will factor into play is the fact that Royal Challengers has one less day to recover from their win over Chennai Super Kings, which could do one of two things.

The less time could add to their momentum or the lack of an extra day could prove to be a burden at the end of a very long tournament.

Our tip is for Deccan to be crowned this year’s Indian Premier League Champions.