IPL 2021: Cricket fraternity reacts as Chris Gayle pulls out of remaining IPL 14 due to bubble fatigue

Gayle wants to refresh before the start of the T20 World Cup later this month.

By Salman Anjum - 01 Oct, 2021

Chris Gayle | BCCI/IPL In a major blow to the Punjab Kings (PBKS), West Indies legend Chris Gayle has decided to pull out of the remainder of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 due to bubble fatigue.

The franchise on Thursday (September 30) released a statement in this regard, wherein Gayle admitted that staying in a bio-secure environment has taken a toll on him and he wants to refresh before the start of the T20 World Cup later this month.

"Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself," said Gayle in a statement issued by PBKS.

"I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai. My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the games coming up."

Gayle had played two games for Punjab in the UAE-leg of IPL 2021 and registered scores of 14 and 1 from it.

After the news came out, cricket fraternity took to Twitter and supported Chris Gayle for his decision, highlighting the tough life inside the bio-bubble.

Here are the tweets:

A cage is a cage…even if it’s made of gold. Bio-bubble fatigue is real. #Gayle #IPL2021
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 30, 2021

Gayle leaving the bubble is indicative of how difficult it is. Forget the glitz and glamour, this is a really tough world beyond what we see on tv. Wish him well but clearly he isn’t the last to feel it’s enough.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 30, 2021

It is a big decision to leave the bubble. But it is an illustration of what players are going through and Gayle won't be the last. Patience wears thin, irritants become larger, it isn't easy.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 30, 2021

Big — and not so happy — news for Punjab Kings. But @henrygayle leaving the IPL at this stage ir a reminder of the mental turmoil international sportspersons are going through in these times https://t.co/5Kz9PEcjKf
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 30, 2021

Bubble fatigue is real… the ‘pandemic landscape’ & affects on crickets calendar… ???????? @ICC @henrygayle & co… pic.twitter.com/9GGlzWodvP
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) September 30, 2021

Chris Gayle is likely to remain in Dubai before joining the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup 2021, slated to be held in UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

IPL 2021: Cricket fraternity reacts as Chris Gayle pulls out of remaining IPL 14 due to bubble fatigue

Gayle wants to refresh before the start of the T20 World Cup later this month.

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