One has always suspected the former Australian wicketkeeper and batsman Adam Gilchrist was never a gentleman. After the release of his autobiography – True Colours – one’s worst fears have been confirmed.

The scene he created in the 2003 World Cup, when he ‘walked’ when he was not given out by the umpire, was to his advantage. Except the umpire concerned, everybody knew he was out because that is what the cameras revealed. Gilchrist saw it on the big screen at the ground and suddenly discovered that had he not walked his reputation as ‘Mr Clean’ would have been at stake. Of course, he knew he had touched the ball.

With the release of his literary offering, Gilchrist has revealed the ugly side to his character and lost the confidence of quite a few people. It might not matter to him, though his wife Mel must be wondering if there is another side to her husband, she has not known about. Time will tell. But that is nobody’s concern.

As far as Gilchrist is concerned, the book should be a bestseller. Bestsellers are generally those which deal with sex and scandal. However, Gilchrist has not been careful. He has a contract with the IPL and would have to meet the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, whom he has not shown in good light in his book. He has branded Muralitharan a chucker, and thereby questioned the judgement of the International Cricket Council.
 
The finest cricket autobiography written is the one by Colin Cowdrey titled M.C.C. One cannot expect Gilchrist to have read it. Dear late Colin was a great gentleman and loved the game. He did not want to make money. And he loved the game more than Gilchrist did. He would have advised the Australian that this is no way to write or sell a book!