Mohali, May 24: Describing IPL Twenty20 tournament as "a landmark time in cricket", former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist on Friday said after 30 years when people look back, they would say it was the most important thing to have happened in cricket.

"Its a landmark time in cricket, I dont think cricket would be same again," Gilchrist told reporters here after his team Deccan Chargers lost to Kings XI Punjab by six wickets in an exciting encounter.

"Thirty years later when people take a look back, they would say it was the IPL that changed the direction of cricket," he added.

Gilchrist, whose team are languishing at the bottom of the points table, said though he was disappointed at his teams poor showing "but will take great confidence from this tournament" for the next edition.

"My experience from IPL has been fantastic and I have really enjoyed it though I had to sit back and wonder why we did not do better.

"However, I have belief in these guys and believe they can make an impact. I think that we as a group have not contributed though we have made positive strides in the last two games," he said, adding he would look forward of being part of IPL in the next season.

Asked about poor form of Shahid Afridi in the competition even though he did not play Friday's game, Gilchrist said, "I won't talk about individual performances, though I will say we all have liked to contribute a bit more."

About his experience of playing in the sub-continent, Gilchrist said, "It is always great to play in the land of billion people where there is lot of passion for the game."