Gilly walks - this time forever

How does one begin to describe what Adam Craig Gilchrist meant to the game of cricket? Statistics might lie sometimes, but in his case, they do communicate most of the story. More than 5,000 Test runs at the mind-boggling average of almost 48, considering that he batted as low down the order as No. 7. Most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in Tests, though Mark Boucher eventually went past that record. More than 9,000 runs in ODIs at that explosive strike rate of his. But as always, there is more to the man than statistics might tell us. And that is, you could never slot him into any category. Try it and the next instance, he would wriggle out of it with the ease which he displayed while rescuing Australia from innumerable tight situations while batting.
When he emerged on the scene in ODIs, he was branded a hitter at first. The consistency which accompanied his explosiveness soon made people realise he was much more than that. The purists pontificated that he would find the going tough in Tests due to his penchant for dare-devilry. In only his second Test, he produced an effort that must surely go down as one of the finest 4th innings performances. I daresay due credit and coverage has not been accorded to that unbeaten Gilchrist century at Hobart against Pakistan in 1999. And to think that it came after Australia were 126/5 chasing 369 against an attack that read Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq. On the 'keeping front, Gilly had the huge shoes of Ian Healy to fill in. Never a natural, it is a tribute to his dedication and perseverance that he eventually accounted for 416 dismissals. Also tells you about the discipline of the Aussie attack over the years that so many chances came his way behind the stumps.
Just when you felt that Gilly was going down the hill, he responded in typical fashion, like when he authored that monumental 149 in the 2007 World Cup final, after having done precious little with the bat in the tournament till then. Gilly's hitting was never desperate, in fact, it seemed so natural that you could almost call it artistic, if such brutality can be called that.
And then there was the human side. In an Aussie side that prided itself on its bluster and macho aggression, Gilly took time to shed a few tears, every now and then. Picture him tightly embracing Justin Langer at the last Ashes Test, which was Langer's farewell one. Picture him hugging Anil Kumble at his own farewell Test at Adelaide. By his own admission, he is a very emotional person. And isn't ashamed of showing them once in a while. In an Aussie side that plays the game 'hard', Gilly had the guts to walk. In a World Cup semi-final. Beat that. However, he could also appeal for a catch that clearly wasn't one, against Rahul Dravid at Sydney. That was Gilly. Beyond definitions. Incapable of being slotted into some category. All by himself. The best 'keeper-batsman ever. And a great human being. Farewell Gilly. There'll never be another like you. Never ever.