'Gilly's exit to hurt more than Warne, McGrath'

As the entire country struggles to come to terms with Gilchrist's sudden decision to quit Test cricket after the ongoing match against India and retire from ODIs after the subsequent tri-series, Buchanan felt the void would be difficult to fill.

"Possibly his loss is more than even Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath," Buchanan told Cricinfo.

"What Adam Gilchrist delighted me was his sense of balance as a player in sport played at the highest level," he said.

Buchanan coached Gilchrist almost throughout his illustrious career and the former coach said he was touched by his ward's gesture of calling him to inform about the decision.

"He didn't need to do that but I certainly appreciated his gesture. I admired him as a person, as a cricketer and as a father. His contribution to Australian and world cricket was incredible," Buchanan said.