CAPE TOWN, April 20: It was a performance that would have pleased any captain. Deccan Chargers’ skipper Adam Gilchrist was happy at the bright start but was in no mood to lose focus on the bigger picture. He agreed it was an exciting and nervous for him at the start as he had not played any competitive cricket in the last 12 months.

"It was bit like my under-14 days where you have an off-season you go and play a winter sport and pick the bat again once the sun is out. I could not have hoped for a better start here. It was a thoroughly professional show and every member of the team played his part to perfection," said Gilchrist

Chargers never managed to bowl a side out in 2008 and to have done it in the very first game is a huge plus the team could take from the game, according to Gilchrist. "There were many games where the situation was 50-50 and we could not force a win as we were unable to get wickets. We have got off to a great start here not the job is to keep the momentum going."

Coach Darren Lehman and the skipper were unified in their response to the new approach of the team. "There is no point in thinking what happened last year. The two West Indian players and some new Indian players have brought in a lot of energy and freshness to the side.

"Importantly they are not carrying any baggage of 2008," said Gilchrist, while Lehman noted it was a bunch of fresh ideas both on and off the field that has helped turn things around.

Against the Knight Riders, the Chargers fielding was brilliant. The tightness helped them create opportunities. The hard yards in the camp in Hyderabad and here before the start of the tournament clearly showed. Gilchrist credited fielding coach Kevin Young for bringing about this turnaround.

The effort of Fidel Edwards also drew praise from Gilchrist. Conditions in South Africa would give a bigger platform for bowlers in the IPL and DC are blessed with two who can get the ball to lift from short of a length and also make it skid off the surface.

"The bowlers are going to have it better here and we really did well with the new ball. R.P. was outstanding. Fidel set it up for us with blinding pace.

"His accuracy was brilliant. At that pace you can go for runs if you are not consistent and Fidel was not only sharp but he also operated in the right areas," said Gilchrist.

The IPL is seen as a learning ground for young Indian players but Gilchrist noted cricketers from other countries had a lot to learn from Indian the Indian stars.