Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - City
Rain couldn’t dampen Gilchrist’s date with JMC
The girls of Jesus and Mary College (JMC) had a ball playing ball with none other than former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, on a rainy Monday morning. Amid cheer and chants, Gilchrist’s team took to the lawns of the Australian High Commission in Delhi, to bat first in a friendly six-over-a-side match with JMC’s women’s cricket team that recently won the first Women Cricket League in Delhi University.
“It is a great time to be in sports, especially when women are being recognised more than ever around the globe,” said Gilchrist. JMC emerged winner in the close match that followed, with Arshi Choudary hitting three sixes during Gilchrist’s over, including one on the last ball. “Hitting a six against a legend like him felt amazing. It’s something I can flaunt,” she said. Much to her delight, Gilchrist went on to compare her winning shot to that of MS Dhoni against Sri Lanka. “Now I know what India felt winning against Sri Lanka,” said the cricketer.
Jesus and Mary College (JMC) girls displayed great cricketing talent to win the match, and also impressed Adam Gilchrist with their passion for the game. “I want the girls to continue to do what they did here today. They clearly love the game, and are passionate and energetic,” he said.
Gilchrist, after posing with the JMC team for pictures and selfies went on to motivate them with his inspiring words. “You have to keep reminding yourself why you chose to play. You can develop a great game around it, learn from your failures and grow as a player — that is the beauty of a team sport,” he said.
Ragini Malhotra, coach of the JMC team, after the win, said, “It is a great thing for the girls. They are the champions and playing with a champion (Gilchrist) is an honour that would really motivate them.”
The Australian-Indian education ambassador, also talked about how sports and education are vital to the India-Australia bilateral ties. Gilchrist shared, “My family was into teaching, and I, myself was on the path to become one, before cricket became my choice. I’m glad to have connected with education through cricket again.”