While Chris Gayle has not officially announced his international retirement yet, the way he returned to the pavilion after getting dismissed in the T20 World Cup game against Australia earlier today and the way the West Indies players stood up in his honor, it seemed as if that might be the last innings of Gayle’s international career.
If it is indeed the case, then Gayle’s decision makes sense as well because he is over 40 now and doesn’t play ODI or test cricket for West Indies anymore. Now by sidelining himself from the T20I cricket as well, he would want West Indies to try out young players in the top order ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
Chris Gayle might not have been able to put his insane power-hitting on display in the last one year or so, but if compared to some of the best players in the history of T20 cricket, Gayle will be second to none for not just what he achieved in international T20 cricket, but for what he achieved in the IPL as well.
Chris Gayle devastated bowling attacks in T20 cricket at the peak of his career
When in rhythm and form, the game hasn’t seen a more dangerous batsman than Gayle in white-ball formats because he was simply unstoppable when he got going. Whichever type of bowling the opposition might try against him, he was powerful enough to clear the ground.
There have been no indications yet whether Gayle is bidding adieu just to international cricket or he is retiring from franchise cricket as well, but it shouldn’t be a surprise if he retires from the game altogether because his performances in the IPL have also been shaky in the last couple of seasons.
While people generally talk about the heroics of Chris Gayle in T20 cricket, the left-hander has actually scored more than 10,000 runs in ODI cricket and more than 7000 runs in test cricket as well.
As far as T20 cricket is concerned, international and franchise cricket combined, Gayle has scored more than 14,000 runs at a strike rate of over 145. Here is how Twitter reacted as Gayle returned to the pavilion having played potentially his last international innings –
Every indication that we may have seen the last of @henrygayle too in international cricket
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 6, 2021
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Thank you for each and every memory @henrygayle. A legend on and off the field. 22 years of unforgettable memory, the dominator of T20 cricket. None looked as good as him at peak in the shortest format.
Thanks for making my childhood memorable one with those unbelievable knocks. pic.twitter.com/ozcHR2bog2
Advertisement— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 6, 2021
Six & Out. Ahhh @henrygayle couldn’t have finished his West Indies white-ball career in more apt fashion #T20WorldCup #AusvWI pic.twitter.com/MUYr0g9LOg
Advertisement— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 6, 2021
Does that acknowledgement from @henrygayle suggest something? What a batter! For me, the best in the T20 format. Take a bow, my friend. #legend #universeboss
Advertisement— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 6, 2021
Cricket will miss @henrygayle he has entertained us for years. Added value to the sport and always be celebrated. pic.twitter.com/CLz9uef10O
Advertisement— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 6, 2021
Seems like Universe Boss may have played his last innings for West Indies. The guy was a pure entertainer and made us all glued to the screen whenever he was batting. One of the best T20 batters the world will ever see. Wishing you all the best Gayle! @henrygayle pic.twitter.com/J6PfzYuBsu
Advertisement— PSL Memes (@PSLMemesWalay) November 6, 2021
Thank you for everything Universe Boss @henrygayle ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/qVar4AIpXZ
Advertisement— Mani sekhar 🇮🇳 (@manisekhar_g) November 6, 2021
This was my take on Gayle
AdvertisementIt’s genuinely sad to see him go like this, but it sort of was self-inflicted pic.twitter.com/c9ap0s59xb
— Static_357 (@Static_a357) November 4, 2021
The numbers are mind blowing in T20 format for Chris Gayle. pic.twitter.com/xIOgrHtWUk
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 6, 2021
Looks like that's the last time we'll see the great Chris Gayle in West Indies colours #T20WorldCup #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/qhXcsAM21c
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) November 6, 2021
