Do you know? Adam Gilchrist considered Harmeet Singh a 'lucky mascot' for Deccan Chargers in IPL 2009 Final

RP Singh, who was a member of the IPL-winning side of Deccan Chargers in 2009, has come up with a revelation. In a recent interaction, he said that Adam Gilchrist, the captain of the side, had considered right-arm pacer Harmeet Singh Bansal as the lucky mascot of the side. The pacer from Punjab played seven matches during the 2009 IPL season. He had picked up only three wickets in those matches. However, the faith which Gilchrist showed in the young pacer paid off quite well.

Out of the three wickets which Harmeet took during the tournament, the two wickets had come in the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore. In Johannesburg, the then 21-year-old bowler had picked the crucial scalps of Mark Boucher and Rahul Dravid. He also gave only 23 runs in that final off his four overs. Chargers were defending a small total in the final as Harmeet’s spell definitely helped the side.

Gilchrist believed that if Harmeet Singh plays, Deccan wins the game: RP Singh

Coming to RP Singh’s statement, the 2009 IPL Purple cap winner said that their captain believed that if Harmeet plays a match, Deccan Chargers would win it. “Adam Gilchrist was superstitious about Harmeet Singh. Harmeet was considered as the lucky mascot for Deccan Chargers. Gilchrist believed that if Harmeet plays, Deccan wins the game,” he said to Star Sports.

Harmeet Singh didn’t have a great deal of swing or pace. However, his ‘back-of-hand’ slower balls during the tournament had made him a popular player at the tournament. He played for Deccan Chargers for the upcoming two seasons. Interestingly, he rejoined Adam Gilchrist at Kings XI Punjab later in 2012, where he played two more seasons under the Australian. In 27 IPL matches, Harmeet Singh picked up 25 wickets.

However, he hasn’t played in the IPL since 2013. He hasn’t even played for Punjab in domestic cricket since 2016.

When Gilchrist got angry despite scoring big!

During the show with Star Sports, RP Singh also made a revelation about Gilchrist’s famous knock during IPL 2009 semi-final against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). The former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman had scored 85 runs from 35 balls in that match. His knock made sure that Deccan Chargers were able to knock out the table toppers, Daredevils.

Gilchrist was furious with himself despite playing a match-winning knock of 85 runs in the 2009 semi-finals. He came back to the dressing room furiously. I was surprised and asked him what’s the matter and why was he angry after that great knock. Gilchrist said he wanted to finish the game and needs to learn to finish games for the team.

Gilchrist had got out in the 10th over when the score was 102 for 3. Chasing a small total of 154, Chargers were well in the course by then.