Muralitharan was my fiercest rival, says Gilchrist

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist has said that legendary Sri Lanka spinner was his fiercest rival.

He was asked about his fiercest rival on the The Unplayable Podcast about his fiercest rival.

Gilchrist said: "The rival I found most difficult to play against was Murali."

"It’s a great rivalry because of late, getting to know him since and learning more about him, I’ve learnt he was fearful of me and I was fearful of him. It’s an interesting rivalry.

"Perception, it’s always wondering what others are doing and it can get in your mind.

"He got me a number of times and there were times when I got him.

"Really fond memories of taking him on, the highest wicket-taker of all time, it was a thrill to be locked in a rivalry with him."  

Gilchrist has a great record against Murali’s Sri Lanka team. He averaged 42.55 in Tests and 50.36 in ODI’s with six hundred. In return the Sri Lanka spinner has dismissed Gilchrist four times in Tests but only got his scalp twice in 32 ODI’s.

Gilchrist averaged 42.55 with one century in Tests and 50.36 with six hundreds in ODIs against Muralitharan’s Sri Lanka, while the master spinner dismissed the Australian four times in six Tests but just twice in 32 one-dayers.