Gilly hangs up gloves ..

Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has announced that he will retire from all forms of cricket at the end of the current summer.

Having earlier this week indicated that he wanted to continue playing for Australia, Gilchrist has shocked the cricket world with his sudden revelation following day three of the fourth Test against India at Adelaide Oval.

Check out for one of his finest innings of his career ...

The 36-year-old, who claimed the world record for most Test dismissals by a gloveman from South African Mark Boucher on day two of the Adelaide Test, will quit the five-day game following the current match.

But the 96-Test veteran, who has scored 17 Test centuries, will see out the Australian international summer, planning to turn out for the world champions in the upcoming Commonwealth Bank Series against India and Sri Lanka.

"It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Test and one-day cricket," Gilchrist said in a statement on Saturday night. "I've come to this decision after much thought and discussion with those most important to me."

"My family and I have been fortunate to have had an amazing journey full of rich experiences throughout my career and are sincerely grateful to all who have helped make this stage of our lives so fulfilling."

"I am now ready and excited to move into the next phase of my life which will, of paramount importance include much more time with (wife) Mel, (children) Harrison, Annie and Archie."

"Thank you to Cricket Australia, the Western Australian Cricket Association and Cricket NSW for providing me the opportunity to play first-class cricket and for the support over the many years."

"Also thank you to all my team-mates and support staff who have given me the most enjoyable, fun career anyone could hope for and to the many officials and opponents I have come across. It has been terrific to play against you and more importantly get to know you."

Gilchrist currently has 414 Test dismissals and will have the chance to temporarily extend his one-wicket lead over Boucher in India's second innings before the South African reclaims the record in the future.

And Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O'Connor has paid tribute to Gilchrist, who is also a three-time World Cup winner, scoring at least 50 in each of the three finals he played in the premier tournament and compiled 15 one-day international hundreds.

"Adam has unquestionably been Australia's finest ever wicketkeeper batsman," O'Connor said. "He has been a great adornment to the game of cricket and his statistics with bat and gloves speak for themselves."

"His influence on the game has gone well beyond statistics both in terms of the dignity with which he has played the game and his respect for the traditions and the spirit of cricket."

Gilchrist, who surpassed Ian Healy's Australian record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper during the first Test against India in Melbourne, will not speak publicly on his retirement until after the fourth Test is completed.

With Gilchrist set to step aside, New South Wales wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is a near certainty to take over the role in both the Test and one-day sides, having been understudy for several years.