Chris Gayle doubtful for next IPL after sexist remarks to female journalist

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

05/25/2016

Controversies and Chris Gayle seem to have a never-ending relationship. After his over-the-top remarks in an interview to a female journalist, his Big Bash team Melbourne Renegades have announced that they will not renew his contract, and he may just suffer the same fate in the IPL next season.

Speaking to female journalist Charlotte Edwardes from the British newspaper Times, Gayle had told the journalist that he has "a very, very big bat, the biggest in the wooooorld. You think you could lift it? You'd need two hands". In the interview that happened last weekend, Gayle hit new bottoms as the interview progressed asking her “how many black men” she had “had”, and whether she dyed her pubic hair, reported the Guardian. He also went on to ask whether she has ever had a ‘t’eesome’.

The Jamaican has since tried to defend himself by saying that he made the comments were made in jest, but has found few takers for the argument.

However, the other person in the eye of the storm, Charlotte, has chosen to be diplomatic about the issue and has in fact claimed to do be doing something that the previous female journalist had shunned - having a drink with Chris.

Is the underlying story of the @henrygayle furore about racism? Are white footballers held to the same standards?https://t.co/RZVNIIGg6I
— Charlotte Edwardes (@chedwardes) May 22, 2016

Gayle's Big Bash team Melbourne Rovers, who must have been on the wall after his Big Bash controversy, would have received the final push after this latest episode. The team has announced that Gayle is not welcome to the BBL this year to play for them. The Jamaican could very well find himself sidelined from English county club Somerset as well for whom he is slated to play soon.

Talking about the controversy, IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla on Tuesday said, "The players must behave. We expect the players to adhere to a certain kind of behaviour when the tournament is on. The players should maintain the sanctity of the league. These kind of statements are totally uncalled for in public domain. I will take up this issue with the president and the secretary of the BCCI," reported TOI.

Also read a take from sometime back on the Perpetually under-appreciated, Presently misunderstood genius of Chris Gayle

Shukla also said that he will take up the issue with his club, the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

However, the BCCI appears to have distanced itself from the issue with its secretary Shirke saying, "At this point, we'll not look into it. We're focused on completing the IPL, which has reached its final stages. What has happened in this case is between two foreign individuals. It is a personal matter between people who aren't from India. At the same time, that doesn't mean that we'll ignore it. If a complaint is brought to us, we'll act on it. If it develops into something more, we'll look into it at an appropriate stage.”

(Also read how Chris Gayle's RCB teammate Yuzi Chahal is ready to lead the Indian charge in Zimbabwe)

Gayle had last created a storm earlier in the year when he made his infamous "don't blush baby" remarks to Australian reporter Mel McLaughlin during the Big Bash League in Australia.

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