KXIP batsman Chris Gayle, who played his first match of the IPL 2020 season on Thursday against RCB in Sharjah, was elated after his match-winning 45-ball 53 run knock. When asked if he was nervous, ever-smiling Gayle question, “how can Universe Boss get nervous.”
KXIP batsman Chris Gayle (BCCI Image)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Chris Gayle said that he was the ‘Universe Boss’ and that he doesn’t get nervous
- Chris Gayle smashed 53 runs off 45 balls in KXIP’s win over RCB
- I might give you a heart attack: Chris Gayle joked
Chris Gayle starred in Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) 8 wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Thursday. Returning to professional cricket for the first time after January 2020, Chris Gayle hit 53 runs off 45 balls. His innings included 5 gigantic sixes and a four. The 41-year-old stitched 93 runs partnership with KL Rahul for the 2nd wicket and was dismissed run-out only on the penultimate over of the match.
2 runs were needed to win off the last over but Yuzvendra Chahal weaved magic to almost strangle KL Rahul’s side. He bowled 4 dots balls (including Gayle’s run-out) as KXIP needed 1 runs on the last ball of the match. Nicholas Pooran, the new man in held his nerve to smash a straight six and win the match for his team.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, Gayle was asked if he was nervous during the match. A cheerful and ever-smiling Gayle replied in his typical fashion and said, “Not really. Come on man, it is the Universe Boss batting, how can I be nervous. I might give you a heart attack.”
Gayle was visibly elated by his sensational performance and declared himself already available for the 2021 season.
“It was a good innings, first in IPL and now I can make myself available for 2021. I can get out of the bubble now and go.”
Chris Gayle admitted that sitting on the bench all the while was not something he enjoyed, adding that he kept himself fit and worked hard during the training session.
Gayle, usually an opener, came to bat at the number 3 position and when asked about it he said KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have been really good at the top and troubling there order was not a good idea. He added that he just delivered with the job team asked him to do.
“It was very sticky and I thought it was better in the second innings, it was difficult for the team batting first and we got the better part of the pitch. The team asked me to do a job and I deliver, openers have been batting well and we didn’t want to trouble that, Mayank and the captain have given us some good starts right through, the win was more important for the team. I thought it was important to keep fit, I don’t like being on the bench but I was enjoying it and apart from the sickness I have been getting fitter,” Gayle added.
The 8-wicket ver RCB was KXIP’s 2nd win of the IPL 2020 season and they are still at the bottom of the IPL 2020 points table.