IPL 2018 | King Gayle was destined to play for Kings XI Punjab, believes Chris Gayle

Gayle had scored a mammoth 3,163 for RCB in the previous seven seasons that he was part of the team. However, this year RCB didn’t feel the need to have the services of Chris Gayle, given that he had a mediocre 2017 season with them. After not being picked by any franchises in the first three call, it was Kings XI Punjab that came for his rescue and bought his services for a paltry 2 crores and it took Gayle just three innings to become IPL’s hottest property once again. Gayle has scored 252 runs in 4 matches so far at a strike of over 151, which includes an unbeaten 104. 

In his interview with TOI, Gayle stated that he didn’t have anything to prove to anyone and there always would be doubters. He didn’t seem to stress much about the fact that he was not picked in the auctions and was happy with his current form. 

“I don't know if I've actually proved them wrong. There are always going to be doubters but at the same time, I didn't have anything to prove. My records speak for themselves. Even though I was selected in the very last round of the auction, I wasn't really worried about it. Even if it was the end of it , there is life... a life beyond cricket, beyond the IPL. At some stage, you are going to walk away from the IPL and other forms of cricket. So I was never too intrigued. This is how I've always been, living in the present. But given the sense that I was picked up and playing for a new franchise, it was very pleasing. And the way I have played in the first three games, I think it has been fantastic. I'm very happy with where I'm at,” Gayle told TOI. 

He admitted that he was surprised at not being picked by any franchise and has moved on from it. The self-proclaimed ‘King’ seemed convinced that Kings XI Punjab was the team he was destined to play for. 

“Not in particular but I'll be honest in admitting that it was very surprising for me to not get picked by any team. I don't know what went behind closed doors but I also understand that these things happen. It's just the way it is. But it's fine. I've moved on from it. Like I said, it's a great opportunity to be playing for King XI Punjab and so far I've had a great time. Perhaps it was supposed to happen, you know. King Gayle; destined to be playing for Kings XI Punjab,” Chris Gayle said. 

On being asked about his exclusion from RCB, Gayle mentioned that he was told that he would be retained, but didn’t get any call back from RCB. He reiterated the fact that he has scored 21 centuries in the T20 format and that says loads about him.

“I was their biggest draw. It was disappointing from that end because they had called me. They wanted me in the team and I was told that I will be retained. But they never called back after that. So that gave me the impression that they didn't want me and it's fine. As I said, I can’t fight with anyone. I think I had a wonderful CPL and BPL - where I scored two centuries for my side Rangpur Riders. The stats don't lie: 21 centuries, most number of sixes. If that doesn't put a stamp on brand Chris Gayle, I don't know what will,” he said.

Chris Gayle suffered a back injury in 2015 and had to undergo surgery and as injuries change the way a player approaches the game and same was the case with Chris Gayle. Speaking about his injury and how it transformed his game he said, “The first time I understood the need of changing my game was when I injured my back in 2015 and underwent surgery. It's the old rule of the game you know, with serious injuries, your approach changes. I've dealt with injuries before as well but none was as tricky as my back. It required a lot of monitoring and that is when I thought I can't be going in with the same approach everytime. So I began biding more time at the crease. I am using my experience a lot more now.”

Gayle has applied a mixed bag of strategies this year. In his first match this season he waited for few balls before going hard, while he started the onslaught on SRH right from the start. On being asked about his strategies for the game he said, “That just differs from opposition to opposition. Any team I play and once I'm at the crease, they've all got to worry. Sometimes I give myself a chance early on and bat as deep as possible; let the other batsmen play around me. So while all the focus is on me, the other batsmen can get their eyes in and go about their game accordingly. On other occasions, when I feel like it's my day, I try to put the bowling team under pressure by attacking early. So like I said, it is all about having a different strategy for different opponents.”

“Just keep your body in shape as much as possible, just doing the usual drills as much as possible. I know that I am no spring chicken but at the same time, I don't really need any intense training session or anything of that sort. I'm naturally fit and I think my body is in great shape for a 38-year-old (laughs). So as long as I can combine this body with my experience, I'm good to go.”