Twenty20 a young man’sgame? Don’t bet on it. Going by what we have seen in the IPL, the golden oldies are revelling in Cricket’s newest and shortest format and matching th feats performed by the younger players. Three of the four centuries have been notched up by the over 30s – Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey and Andrew Symonds. We have featured six players, all of whom are over 35, who are having a whale of a time, underlining the fact that if one is willing to adapt, age is no bar in a format widely perceived to be of, by and for youngsters
ADAM GILCHRIST (Age:36)
Given his awesome record in ODIs, there was never any doubt that Adam Gilchrist would be a success in Twenty20. He has this ability to adapt – after all hasn’t he adopted the trademark swashbuckling approach in Test cricket too. Gilchrist, who plays for Deccan Chargers in the IPL, has an impressive strike rate of 159 at the end of the match against Chennai Super Kings. His unbeaten 109 off 47 balls with nine fours and ten sixes against Mumbai Indians has been one of the stand-out performances. He reached his 100 off just 42 balls – the fastest in the competition and his unbroken partnership of 155 in just 12 overs for the first wicket with VVS Laxman is the highest in the tournament
MATTHEW HAYDEN (Age: 36)
How much the Chennai Super Kings is indebted to the burly left-handed Australian opening batsman is best conveyed by the sharp slide in their fortunes after he left. In just four matches for his adopted side, Hayden hit 189 runs at a handsome strike rate of 144 including two half centuries. Starting off with a modest 25 against King’s Punjab, Hayden progressed to 81 off 46 balls with 12 fours and two sixes that helped shape a six-run victory over Mumbai Indians and get him the man of the match award. Hayden followed this up with an unbeaten 70 off 49 balls with six fours and three sixes in Chennai’s nine-wicket romp over the Knight Riders.
SANATH JAYASURIYA (Age: 38)
About a decade ago, he was the most dangerous opening batsman in the business, intimidating the bowlers just by his presence at the crease. With age, there are creaks in Sanath Jayasuriya’s armour but when given the chance to appear in Twenty20 he immediately signalled his liking for the new format, getting 41, 51 not out, 88 and 61 in his first four games. It hasn’t help that he has been playing for a struggling side Mumbai Indians but the tournament is only halfway over and the `Matara Mauler’ can be trusted upon to pounce anytime on the hapless bowlers. And when that happens crowds everywhere will rejoice and it will no doubt mark an upturn in the fortunes of his team
GLENN MCGRATH (Age: 38)
He is one of the great fast bowlers of all time but these days Glenn McGrath bowls well within himself. The pinpoint accuracy, bowling them in the corridor of uncertainty which was always his trademark and the hunger for success has not diminished one bit. If Delhi Daredevils have emerged as one of the leading contenders for the title, McGrath certainly has been one of the reasons. A fierce, tough competitor, McGrath hates to lose even now and the happy knack of adapting to the Twenty20 format is standing him – and his team – in very good stead.
MUTHIAH MURALITHARAN (Age: 36)
Murali the magician has not really been at his most mesmeric and that is certainly one reason Super Kings have slid to the middle in the standings after being on top of the table in the first few days of the competition. But can such a proven match winner at any level of the game be totally out of the limelight? Up to the match against Deccan Chargers, Muralitharan had taken five wickets at the highly commendable economy rate of 6.5. He has probably been at his best against Kolkata Knight Riders when in his four overs he conceded only 12 runs. But he also underlined his wicket taking ability by removing two batsmen late in the game against Mumbai Indians just as they were threatening to overtake the Chennai Super Kings total.
SHANE WARNE (Age: 38)
He is making his omnipotent presence felt in the IPL in more ways than one. As captain, coach and chief mentor of the Rajasthan Royals, Shane Warne has taken a lot upon himself. But was there any doubt that he would do justice to his manifold duties? Displaying the exuberance of youth in the evening of his career, he is taking full responsibility for selecting, coaching, motivating, advising and leading the Rajasthan Royals` collection of Indian novices and experienced internationals. The turnabout in the team’s fortunes has largely been attributed to his leadership qualities and inspiring presence as one of the game’s legendary figures. But he has also been leading from the front
