Having batted alongside him in the victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday (October 26) in a sizeable partnership, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) opener Mandeep Singh lauded West Indian teammate, Chris Gayle, as "the greatest T20 player ever".
Few would argue with Mandeep's assessment as the big Jamaican continues to be a force that oppositions fear. The left-hander struck a breezy half-century (29-ball 51) and along with Mandeep (66*), helped KXIP comfortably go past KKR's 149/9 with more than an over and eight wickets still left in Sharjah.
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Gayle's innings typically included five sixes as he later received the 'Man-of-the-Match' award.
“Chris (Gayle) makes the game so easy and I told him that you should never retire. I’ve never seen him struggle, and he’s probably the greatest T20 player ever," said Mandeep at the post-match press conference, as quoted by PTI.
"Like I said, he should never retire, he’s always in great touch. I’ve been lucky that I’ve played with the likes of Chris Gayle, AB (de Villiers), (Adam) Gilchrist, Virat Kohli…"
"I started with Chris Gayle in KKR in 2010. I’ve been very fortunate to know him as a friend. He’s so humble, down-to-earth," added the 28-year-old.
Mandeep, opening the innings in absence of injured Mayank Agarwal, was quite pleased with his effort too. His intelligent fifty never allowed KKR to get back in the game from their lower middle-order collapse in the first half. The knock also required a lot of mental toughness from Mandeep, who is grieving the untimely demise of his father.
"I opened in the last game as well, they wanted me to have a go in the first six overs,” Mandeep said. "I told (skipper) KL Rahul that let me play my game, even if I take a few balls, I know I have the belief that I can win games for the team. That’s what I did."
"I took some balls initially, but even in the middle overs, I was thinking that if I bat till the end I will win this game for the team."
Mandeep also hailed KXIP's impressive young wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, whose spell of 2/20 included the prized scalp of in-form opposition captain Eoin Morgan (40). The important breakthrough kickstarted a procession of wickets just when Morgan, along with Shubman Gill (57), were looking set to take KKR to an intimidating score.
"He (Bishnoi) has a big heart," said Mandeep. "And I remember when I came to the IPL first time in 2010, I was very nervous and couldn’t even talk to senior players. He’s just playing as if he’s playing his fifth IPL. The loss took KKR out of the top-four but opener Gill said they have it in them to qualify."
"I think we still have two more matches to go and we are pretty confident that we will be able to qualify for the playoffs."
The victory by eight wickets was KXIP's fifth on the bounce as they continued their turnaround and now stand fourth in the points table, hardly expected scenario at the halfway mark when they had just one win to show for their efforts.
Mandeep said even then they had never lost faith, keeping in mind the close losses.
"We were a bit unlucky as well initially, but we were playing some good cricket from the start but we need to finish games, whether in batting or bowling."
“It’s just the self-belief that we showed in the last few games, that no matter what we have to keep fighting in every game. I think that’s about it. Now a bit of luck is also favouring us and we are really happy," he added.
KXIP next lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in Dubai on Friday (October 30).
