IPL 2018 | Brad Hodge reveals that picking Chris Gayle was not a pre-planned decision

One month into IPL and it has been pretty clear that Punjab had got the best of bargains at the mega-auction when they managed to land Chris Gayle for his paltry base price of 2 crores. Though the Jamaican had to wait till the fourth game to get his first chance, he hasn’t disappointed with the bat. His scores read 63, 104*, 62* and 23, which has been one of the main reasons why Punjab sit third on the IPL table with 10 points and a game in hand after seven matches.

Hodge has pointed out that Gayle’s attitude of taking challenges head-on is what makes him a true legend. In an interview with CricketNext, he also revealed that buying the destructive southpaw wasn’t something Punjab had thought while going into the mega-auctions but didn’t let the chance slip away once he was available.

“To be honest, picking Gayle was a decision we made during the course of the action. When you have someone of his experience available, you don’t really think twice. And he has justified our faith and shown why he is the Universe Boss. He has been brilliant for us and accepted the challenge that lay in front of him with both hands. It is this attitude that separates legends from the others. He will only get better as the tournament progresses,” he said. 

While the gamble with Gayle has clicked perfectly for KXIP, Yuvraj is yet to get into the groove managing just 50 runs in six games. However, Hodge has been confident that the 2011 World Cup winner would return to scoring runs soon. 

“He had scores of 80 and 140 odd in our first two practice games and showed that he still has the game to succeed against the best. It is just a matter of time that he is back scoring runs. Also, he has been brilliant around the team and that is what is important if you ask me. He is a big personality and youngsters have a lot to learn from him. Expect him to come back strongly,” Hodge said.