Everyone Has Expectation From Me To Be Next Chris Gayle, States Evin Lewis

West Indies opener Evin Lewis said that swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle won’t get into the action if his batting partner isn’t doing well.

Lewis got in the West Indies limited-overs set up in 2016 and has often paired with Gayle not only in the national team but also for CPL franchise St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Those are big shoes to fill: Evin Lewis in comparison with Chris Gayle

Lewis has been phenomenal as an opener in the shortest format, in 45 T20Is, he has amassed 1318 at the strike rate of 158.03 with the help of nine fifties and a couple of hundreds against India.

Lewis said that many people want him to emulate Chris Gayle but the Trinidad-born player feels it is a big task to fill the shoes of the ‘Universe Boss’.

“Everyone has that expectation and keep saying if I am going to be the next Chris Gayle. We have to wait and see. Only time will tell. To be honest those are big shoes to fill,” Lewis told Times of India.

“Chris is a supportive guy. When we bat together and if I am having a good game, he will just rotate strike. Many bowlers fear him but he will not get into the action if his partner is doing well. We share a good relationship and I keep learning from him,” he added.

It feels great to be back in the IPL: Evin Lewis

Lewis was roped in by Rajasthan Royals for the second leg of IPL 2021 after England players Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes made themselves unavailable because of personal reasons.

The 29-year-old West Indies batter, who previously played for Mumbai Indians in IPL, said it is great to be back in the tournament and felt welcomed by Rajasthan Royals mentor Kumar Sangakkara.

“Coming in place of Buttler and Stokes doesn’t put pressure on me. My job is to go out there and give good starts. Kumar Sangakkara has welcomed me. It feels great to be back in the IPL. I had to work very hard for it,” Lewis said.

Lewis scored 36 runs from 21 balls against Punjab Kings on his return to IPL as Rajasthan Royals won by two runs in a thrilling contest that went down to the wire.

Also Read: Rajasthan Royals announce Evin Lewis and Oshane Thomas as replacement players