Prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales, veteran West Indies opener Chris Gayle had announced that he will bid adieu to international cricket after showing his exploits in the marquee event. However, he took a U-turn midway through the World Cup and postponed his retirement after India’s tour to the West Indies, slated to be played from August 3 to September 3.

The ball is now on selectors’ court whether to left out Gayle or pick him for the India series. West Indies will play three T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests against Virat Kohli and his men.

Amid speculations, legendary West Indies pacer Andy Roberts has said that it is the right time for Gayle to walk away from the international circuit. Roberts also believes the southpaw’s form doesn’t merit immediate selection to the squad for India series.

“I watched Chris in the One Day series in the Caribbean [against England], I watched Chris in the World Cup and I am yet to see Chris Gayle play a cover drive on the ground in any of the innings he has played off the front foot. He takes his time early and I don’t know the reason because I’ve seen in the early that he gets a lot of balls to hit but he’s just playing himself in and then after that he just tries to hit everything out the ground and I don’t think youngsters can learn from that,” Roberts told the Antigua Observer.

“Chris has been one of our great players and I make no bones in saying that, but the time has come that we have to let the greatness speak for itself instead of trying to go on to achieve what he didn’t do because most West Indians were hoping that he would do,” he added.

Chris Gayle entered into the World Cup on the back of his stellar showing against England in an ODI series at home and in the IPL. However, the swashbuckling left-hander couldn’t quite replicate his heroics at the quadrennial tournament. He amassed 242 runs from 9 matches as the Calypso Kings finished at the ninth place in the 10-team competition.