BPL Final Knock Among My Top Five Centuries - Chris Gayle

For the last one year or so, Chris Gayle has had several lukewarm outings in T20s. The most decorated batsman in the history of the shortest format of the game, the Jamaican had a forgettable outing in the last edition of the Pakistan Super League, and it was followed by a dismal performance in the Indian Premier League as well.

However, the southpaw showed a glimpse of his past form in the just-concluded Bangladesh Premier League and roared back to his devastating form when his side Rangpur Riders needed him the most. After slamming a century in the eliminator, the Windies star scored another ton in final on Tuesday (December 12) to power the Riders to their maiden title.

Also Read: BPL 2017 Final: Chris Gayle Shatters T20 Records on His Way To a 69-Ball 146

Such was the devastation caused by his record 146* run knock that defending champions and pre-tournament favourites Dhaka Dynamites never looked in contention to win the title-decider. The 38-year old shattered several records en-route to his 20th T20 century. He hit 18 sixes during his innings – the most in Twenty20 innings and also crossed the 11,000-run mark in T20s. The 146-run knock is now also the highest individual score in a final of a T20 League.

It was a memorable ton for Gayle, and the star batsman said he cherished the knock, calling his fifth century in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) one of his best T20 knocks.

“You actually look back and say well done. You tap yourself on the back. It is a winning effort as well, which makes it more special for me. So I am glad that we came out on top. I would put it in the top five [among T20 centuries], certainly for the occasion as well. I will have to reflect where this takes place. It is right up there,” he said after his exploits with the bat.

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The Riders had begun their innings on a poor note, as Gayle’s compatriot Johnson Charles was sent back by Shakib Al Hasan for just three. However, it was the only wicket that fell during the entire innings, as Gayle and Brendon McCullum stitched together a mammoth 201-run stand to help their side post a huge 206 for one in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Dynamites could post only 149 for nine.

“They [Dhaka Dynamites] started well. We lost Charles a bit early,” Gayle said. “We had to give ourselves a chance to bat as deep as possible. It was important for one of us to bat right through the innings. It actually set the momentum for us.

Gayle also expressed his delight over batting alongside former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum who remained unbeaten on 51 off 43.

“When we arrived in Bangladesh, everyone was so excited to see Gayle and McCullum. It didn’t happen early on in the tournament, but I am glad it happened when it mattered. It is not about trying to outdo each other. The communication and understanding were very good,” said Gayle who had opened the innings with the Kiwi batsman for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

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