Gilchrist hails Ashwin’s delivery to Amla as ‘T20 ball of century’

SYDNEY: Australian wicket-keeping legend Adam Gilchrist has reportedly hailed Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s ‘carrom ball’ delivery, which dismissed veteran South African Hashim Amla on Friday, as the ‘Twenty20 ball of the century’.

In the World Twenty20 semifinal against South Africa, Ashwin evoked comparisons with Australian spin legend Shane Warne’s ‘ball of the century’ to Mike Gatting when he sent one of his ‘carrom balls’ across Amla.

According to News.com.au, the ball pitched outside Amla’s legs and turned sharply before clipping the top of his off-stump, following which Gilchrist said that Ashwin’s delivery might be the best T20 ball that one has ever seen in this century.

India were led by a swashbuckling knock of 72 not out by Virat Kohli as they strolled to the final with five balls to spare following their six-wicket win over South Africa in the semifinal at Dhaka on Friday.