Chris Gayle's absence from Kings XI Punjab's (KXIP) first two games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 may have raised doubts whether the explosive left-hander is still part of his team's plans, but skipper KL Rahul cleared the air, saying Gayle remains a key member of the Kings XI squad.
The 41-year-old big Jamaican didn't play the opening game against Delhi Capitals (DC) and also missed the next one on Thursday (September 24) versus the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), with Mayank Agarwal, last season's No.3, promoted to open with Rahul.
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Agarwal's excellent form could see Gayle warm the benches for a little longer, but Rahul said that doesn't mean he can't feature at some stage of the tournament.
"Chris Gayle has been the biggest match-winner in T20 cricket and to not play a match-winner like Chris is a very hard decision for us," said the captain on 'Amstrad InsideSport Face 2 Face cricket series'.
"The way he has come back after lockdown, the way he is batting, he is getting fitter and stronger by the day. He is striking the ball really well and some point in the tournament he will have a huge role to play."
Rahul, whose outstanding hundred (132 not out) gave KXIP their first win of the campaign against RCB, says he is managing the extra responsibility of leading, opening and wicketkeeping for the side without feeling burdened.
"For me, it has always been that I try to be in the moment, play one ball at a time whether in batting, captaincy or wicket keeping. I try to keep things simple. I am not a person who thinks too far ahead. I don't go into a game or a tournament with huge expectations," said Rahul.
"For me it's about enjoying each day and each opportunity and that's the kind of mindset I want my players and my team to go with. I don't want them to worry about what is going to happen in the 14th or 16th game whereas it's about enjoying each opportunity and we are all fresh we could ever be."
"Everyone's keen to go out there and create an impact. Every time we talk in the dressing room it is always about believing in the process and the preparation and just after that, come game time we have to believe that we have done everything we could do," he added.
The 28-year-old also talked about his partnership with coach Anil Kumble, stressing his importance to the team eyeing their maiden IPL title in UAE.
"It's important that the coach and the captain are someone who the team enjoys having around. Somebody like Anil Kumble comes in with so much experience. He has captained a franchise, he has been a part of teams and he has been involved with the league (IPL) for so many years," said Rahul.
"He understands exactly what the team goes through and what the players go through during these two months of IPL. He has been through it himself. He is now in a coaching job, it helps the team, and it helps a captain like me who is captaining the team for the first time to have his experience and someone like him to fall back on to bounce some ideas."
"Furthermore, we come from the same city and he has watched me grow, it's a huge help. He has been someone who has supported me and supported all the players from Karnataka. Just to have him around makes a huge difference for youngsters and for the guys who have been playing for a while because there is so much to learn from him," he concluded.
(Inputs from IANS)
