The Universe Boss aka Christopher Henry Gayle is a household name among cricket lovers globally. The West Indian legend Chris Gayle opened up about his decision of opting out from IPL this year saying he was not treated properly and did not get the respect he deserved. A destructive batter, Gayle is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters to have played Twenty20 cricket. He has played for three teams in the cash-rich league, including the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). However, Gayle wasn’t a permanent member of the final XI in the past couple of seasons. He also withdrew midway during the IPL 2021 due to bio-bubble fatigue.
“For the last couple of years, the way the IPL went about, I felt like I wasn’t treated properly,”
Gayle was quoted as saying by The Mirror
“So I thought ‘okay, you (Gayle) didn’t get the respect you deserved after you did so much for the sport and IPL.’ So I said ‘okay, that’s it, I’m not going to bother to enter the draft,’ so I left it as it is. There is always going to be life after cricket so I’m just trying to adapt to normality,”
He further added
Is the Universe Boss making a comeback?
Chris Gayle is currently the seventh-highest run-scorer of all time in the IPL history with 4965 runs in 142 matches. The West Indies star has also hit multiple centuries in a single season, with six hundred in total which is the most by any batter in the tournament. He also holds the record of the highest individual score by a batter hitting 175 against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
However, the West Indian also said later in the same interview that he will return to the IPL in 2024.
Next year I’m coming back, they need me!”
GAYLE CHUCKLED
“I’ve represented three teams in the IPL, Kolkata, RCB, and Punjab. Between RCB and Punjab, I would love to get a title, with one of those two teams. I had a great stint with RCB where I was more successful within the IPL, and Punjab, they’ve been good. I love to explore and I love challenges so let’s see what happens.”
He concluded
