IPL 2018: It was superb to be part of the IPL once more, says Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle played for the Kings XI Punjab in this year's Indian Premier League.

Chris Gayle was terrific at the start of the season for Kings XI Punjab. (IANS)

Chris Gayle has stated that it was great for him to be a part of the Indian Premier League again and that the tournament is the best T20 league in the world.  

Gayle played for Kings XI Punjab this year under the leadership of Ravichandran Ashwin, after not being retained by Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore at the auction for this season in January. The big man though turned up and played some outstanding knocks, with his first three scores reading, 63, 104*, 62*. Kings XI Punjab won all of them, they had bargained for much less and so this was a bonus.

Gayle in an interview given recently to Mumbai Mirror was quoted saying, “Without a doubt! It was superb to be part of the IPL once more. It is the best tournament in the world. I played for a new franchise, the reception there was fantastic. We had a good start but we lost the momentum in the final stages. Hopefully, next year,”

“It was not a joke, I am serious. You have said IPL needs stars and you have answered the question. I have done so much for the IPL. You look back and see what I have done for the IPL. I had two centuries and won a trophy, still active and playing. You can still see what I have to offer to the game. I love to continue playing in India. This is where a lot of passion lies. There is some fuel in the tank"

Age Gayle says is not gonna stop him for personifying his T20 genius. He said, “I have no idea. May be it is because of my age. How old is Watson? He has scored two centuries. I am 39 and still scoring hundreds, SunRisers got into the final with their bowling attack and one would have expected them to defend that sort of total (178). But they were hit by Shane Watson, he played a magnificent innings. That is what you call a big match player, it was a big match.”

Gayle also talked about not being surprised but enduring the disappointment, when he was not purchased at the auction initially. He said, “No, no, no. I was not surprised. Whether it was the first or last minute (being picked) does not matter. But I don’t have too many expectations in life. You have to prepare yourself for disappointments. I have seen these things happen in the IPL. I was not actually following the auction. It was early morning for me back home in the Caribbean.”

Internationally, Chris Gayle wants to win the World Cup for West Indies next year. He talked about it and concluded, “The World Cup is coming next year. We had to qualify for the World Cup. We will see what happens after that (the World Cup). The youngsters are coming up. We’re in a rebuilding process. It is going to take a while, it is not going to be over overnight. We’ve lost a lot of experienced players but life goes on. No player is going to play forever. At some stage, everybody has to depart the game. I will continue to wish West Indies cricket all the best.”

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 29 May, 2018

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