Chris Gayle bid adieu to the second edition of Mzansi Super League (MSL) saying "I don't get respect", with him failing to come to the party in the defending champions Jozi Star's yet winless campaign in the ongoing tournament.
But those aren't comments of the mighty universe boss we've known for last so many years in T20 cricket and perhaps of a deeply "sensitive" man, feels Star's chief executive Jono Leaf-Wright as he came out in support of the 40-year-old who scored just 101 runs in six innings, included an imposing 27-ball in the defeat by Tshwane Spartans on Monday (November 25).
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"In Chris's head, he feels that when he doesn't perform, because there are such expectations, from the franchise, the fans, that he's the reason the team is not performing," Leaf-Wright said.
"I know Chris well, he seems like he's the big character, lots of bravado, the swag and all that stuff but he's actually a sensitive guy, and unfortunately, when he doesn't perform he really takes it to heart. He's certainly no burden on our side."
Gayle, on his part, wasn't liking the spirit in the dressing room, which he felt was so much better when the team was winning the last season.
"This is not a champion team," he complained. "That is not how defending champions should play."
Gayle himself, never an athlete on the field, has been on a decline with his batting for a while now, failing to live up its reputation and the tag of the "marquee player" in the competition after being taken on board at a reported sum of 1.2-million rand (about $82,000) for the full season.
"As manager last year I looked after Chris personally," said Leaf-Wright. "Maybe he just hasn't had the same attention and TLC that maybe I gave him last year because of my relationship with him."
Gayle hasn't announced his retirement from the game yet and won't be seen playing for the rest of the year atleast.
"It's important to take a break from the game as well," he said. "The mental part is not an issue for me, it's more the physical side of things. Once I get the physical side of things right, I can still carry on for however long I want to play this game."
(Inputs from AFP)
