Virat Kohli is gearing up to participate in his fourth ODI World Cup.
Earlier this year, Caribbean cricket hit a new low as they were knocked out of the World Cup qualification race after losing to Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Scotland in the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.
With barely a few days left for the World Cup, West Indies legend Chris Gayle has expressed his disappointment over the fact that his former team won’t participate in the showpiece global event.
Gayle, who played 103 Tests, 301 ODIs and 79 T20Is, also proposed some ideas to bring West Indies cricket back on track.
“West Indies not in the World Cup, that’s disappointing from a personal point of view, it’s heartbreaking. Where we are basically now, we can look to actually rebuild. When I say rebuild, I mean four years for the next World Cup. I know they have a T20 World Cup next year, but they have a chance to look at different players. We don’t have many players, to be honest with you. We have a new coach in Darren Sammy and the board can only really give him the support he needs and the players can rally around him as well. They need to come up with a plan, which is going to be key for West Indies. These series coming up as well, there need to win them to take away a bit of the talk about West Indies not being at the World Cup. You don’t want to play series and continue to lose. Whatever it is, Test or T20I or ODI, you have to look to win them. Play hard, try and gain some face for the fans as well after not making the World Cup. You need to structure it out and plan accordingly for the next World Cup in four years,” Gayle said on sports journalist and anchor Jamie Alter's YouTube podcast ‘The Spirit of Cricket’.
“The damage has actually been done. It’s been something ongoing for a long time. You cannot pinpoint one thing. Darren Sammy just came in and we have a new president as well, so we cannot say it’s their fault. These are new guys on board. The damage was done years ago, which I faced while playing as well. Nobody seems to come out of it and go in the right direction. People who come into the team and play, these seam to do the same things over and over again. They will talk pretty and will take the wrong route. With Sammy and the new president, hopefully they can stay on and put West Indies cricket first and make it a priority to actually rebuilt and restructure our cricket and make sure we can gain something back for the fans and gain back our reputation as well. We’ve lost it. A World Cup without the West Indies doesn’t look right at all,” he added.
On a different note, Gayle opined that for batting great Virat Kohli to play the next World Cup in 2027, India will have to win this one at home.
“As a player, I think he will have that in the back of his mind that this could be his last World Cup as well. Say India doesn't win the World Cup, it might be a bit of a worry for him to actually, to play the next World Cup as well. But he's a fit guy. He can go on for five more years with ease, to be honest with you. But the main point is India winning the World Cup. He's fantastic, he's India’s best player. A fantastic guy to actually take the baton and lead from the front as well with Rohit. But like I said, this is going to be in the back of his mind to say, if we don't win this World Cup, I'm pretty much in trouble here. And he's going to score runs, without a doubt. He's a run machine. So, the result is what's going to be key for the Indian team and him.”
Gayle also tipped Pakistan as firm favorites to lift the World Cup, citing that they have a strong fast bowling attack.
“They are obviously ranked number one. But that fast bowling, it's just incredible to watch. Pakistan definitely in my top four, for sure. Seeing that they actually have similar conditions from Pakistan to India as well, they know the subcontinent very well. The bowling lineup, always a strong competitor. The spinners are very good as well. And in the batting department they can put runs on the board. That's another thing with Babar Azam at the top as well. You just know that these guys are going to be key. Pakistan is definitely a big threat for the World Cup. They can lift it, you never know.”
Commenting on Australia’s chances, the Universe Boss said: “Australia is always a candidate to lift the World Cup. They have a solid all-round team as well. They know the Indian conditions well, most of the players play in the IPL and they tend to do well in India. So, you don't want to say they can't lift the trophy. You have to put them right up there as well. They're going to be in the top four for sure. David Warner, pretty much his last World Cup, you don't want to shy away from the fact. Most of the players said it already, that this is going to be their last World Cup as well. I'm sure they actually have something to play for, and they play for each other as well. They can actually lift the World Cup one more time as well for those players. It's something they can use as a motivational factor to go into this World Cup.”
Chris Gayle also expressed his reservations against the 50-over format, saying that it's way too long.
“When I used to play international cricket … when you play a T20 game and then you’ve got to try and turn over and play a 50-over game … it is very long. It seems like a Test much. It's dragged out a bit, its way, way too long. And it kind of puts you in a different mindset like ‘Whoa, when is this game is going to finish?’ Especially when you’re in the outfield, it feels crazy, crazy long. I don't know what solution they're going to actually come up with to do with 50-over cricket, but they can actually break it down and make the World Cup every two years. Every four years is too much, it drags out over a long time. And you want it for TV rights, no? So, you want to introduce the World Cup a bit more sooner than later.”
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