Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle has joked about playing for RCB as an impact substitute and fondly recalled his time with the IPL franchise.

Gayle was in attendance at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (May 18) when RCB defeated CSK by 27 runs to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Despite facing adversity, RCB made it to the playoffs. They turned things around after winning only one of their initial seven matches in the season.

During the game, Gayle expressed his affection for the franchise while humorously offering to step in as an impact substitute if the team required an additional player.

"As you can see jersey still fits so if they need an extra man, I can be the impact player. It is good to see the fans. RCB forever, I will forever be an RCB fan," Gayle said in a video posted by RCB on X.

Chris Gayle was associated with RCB from 2011 to 2017, amassing 3420 runs from 91 matches at a strike rate of 154.40, including five hundreds and 21 half-centuries.

Gayle still holds the record of highest individual score (175* off 66 balls) in the IPL history. He had achieved this remarkable defeat at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the now defunct franchise Pune Warriors in 2013.

He shared his fondness for playing at Chinnaswamy and the electrifying atmosphere created by the passionate fans.

"It is always good to be back where you have fun memories. It is good to see the guys in a very important game. For me, it is very special to be right here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. One thing I noticed the roof, brand new, I know I have done some damage. I hope someone can put a dent in there and make it entertaining like the Universe Boss," Gayle said.

"I got goosebumps. This is the best place to play cricket, the atmosphere is brilliant and the fans played a big part during my career with RCB," he added.

(With ANI Inputs)