The inspiration for Adam Gilchrist’s 35-ball 83 in the first semi-final on Friday came from a most unlikely quarter — Munaf Patel. Funny as it may sound but it was while watching the Rajasthan Royals No. 11 hit Dirk Nannes for three consecutive boundaries in Bloemfontein that gave the Deccan Chargers skipper some vital clues to plot Delhi Daredevils’s fall.

“We watched Dirk the other night and concluded that he could buckle under pressure,” Deccan coach Darren Lehmann told The Indian Express. “We had done the same with some success in Durban and decided that going after him was the best way to put Delhi under pressure. But full credit to Gilchrist, he executed the plan perfectly.”

For his part, Gilchrist, who hit Nannes for five boundaries in the first over to set the tone of the chase, also admitted that the assault was deliberate.

“He had bowled beautifully in the tournament, but he is still a relatively inexperienced cricketer in comparison to many others. So we decided to put pressure on their bowling, which has been successful,” said the Aussie.

But before he single-handedly won them the game, Gilchrist had also given the team an inspiring pep-talk.

“I told them what happens in the tournament is the most important thing in their life. And when they field, it is their next delivery that is the most important moment of their lives because whatever you are doing at that moment is important,” he said.

And as they prepare to take on Bangalore, Gilchrist might like to say a few more words to his team mates. “We still have a match to go. All we need is a big push on Sunday.”