“I’m going to play a few games at Middlesex in the summer. I’ve no desire to play a domestic full summer. I’m done with that but I’ll be ready nearing the next IPL.”

Obviously taking cognizance of the recent off-field developments, Gilchrist sounded a cautious note as he speculated on the future. “T20 cricket has changed the whole landscape of cricket,” he pointed out.

“There is a lot of revenue being raised or turned over and passed. There is a microscope on that in the IPL, it will be interesting to see what the outcome is. It’s changed the face a little bit and changed the direction that players go. Whether it’s a good thing or detrimental, it’s hard to say. There are a lot of positives about both IPL and T20 cricket in the long run, as long as it well administered and well run.”

Money, however, wasn’t the driving force behind players thronging IPL, he declared. “To be honest, everyone in every walk of life needs money to survive, it’s there and it’s very real. It’s a lure. But I don’t see any financial reason to win. The desire is purely from within. The memories of last year from where we came from the previous year -- they are the reasons I’m playing. What charges me up and keeps me coming back is that nice little incentive of that winning feeling.”