West Indies veteran cricketer Chris Gayle, who is an icon for many, used to idolize another opener in his initial days. Gayle during a chat with Kings XI Punjab revealed he grew up surrounded by cricket. 

“I grew up with a lot of cricket happening around me in my city. I lived next to Lucas Cricket Club and I used to go and score the board and watch my older brother at that time,” said the KXIP cricketer.

Gayle's older brother, Vanclive Parris, played cricket at a youth level for Jamaica, and Lucas and Kensington in the Senior Cup as an off-spinner. 

The Caribbean, who is among four players with two triple centuries at Test cricket, was inspired by Delroy Morgan, Jamaican opener who added 2,878 runs in his career between 1986 and 2000. Gayle revealed he used to miss school to watch him play. 

“There were these two opening batsmen,” Gayle continued. “One of whom was Delroy Morgan, who played first-class cricket but unfortunately never eventually went on to represent the country. So, I used to watch those two as a youngster, and then obviously as you get older you start watching international cricket. But it was them who got me started.”

From the young boy who watched the Jamaican legend Morgan, Gayle eventually broke into the side and started playing with the big boys of Lucas Cricket Club soon after. In one of the matches they played together, Delroy scored a century while Chris grabbed four wickets, one of which was caught by his idol. Gayle had arrived.

“My family inspired me to become a cricketer, to be honest. They all played cricket, so that kick-started my career,” revealed the Universe Boss.