IPL 2020: Chris Gayle Gives A Fitting Response When Being Asked Whether He Felt Nervous While Batting For The First Time In The Tournament

Kings XI Punjab veteran batsman Chris Gayle announced his return with a half-century against Royal Challengers Bangalore that sealed their second victory of IPL 2020. Being one of the most experienced T20 players with a prolific IPL record, it was Chris Gayle’s first match of the season. When asked about whether he felt nervous, the Jamaican shrugged it off entirely.

Chris Gayle played at number three on Thursday, which was a vastly unfamiliar position for him since he has mostly opened the batting. The 40-year old struggled initially; however, kept clearing the boundary periodically, preventing the pressure from building on KL Rahul. As a result of slow running between the wickets, Gayle had to depart in the second-last delivery of the innings for 53. It was Nicholas Pooran, who sealed the game for KXIP by eight wickets with a last-ball six.

Chris Gayle underlined that he did not feel nervous at all since it was the ‘Universe Boss’ batting. Cricket experts dearly called for Gayle to be included in the playing eleven, considering KXIP’s struggles in IPL 2020. After losing six games on the trot, it was KXIP’s first victory and would look to build on that to remain in contention for a playoffs spot. KL Rahul received the man of the match for his unbeaten 61.

“Not really. Come on man, it is the Universe Boss batting, how can I be nervous. I might give you a heart attack. It was a good innings, first in IPL and now I can make myself available for 2021. I can get out of the bubble now and go,” Gayle told in the post-match presentation.

“I don’t like being on the bench” : Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle further said that the team batting second had it easier than the one batting first since the wicket was sticky. The southpaw lauded the excellent progress made by the current opening pair and did not want to disrupt it. He concluded by saying that it was not a pleasant feeling to be on the bench; however, Gayle declared enjoying it by keeping himself fit.

“It was very sticky and I thought it was better in the second innings, it was difficult for the team batting first and we got the better part of the pitch. The team asked me to do a job and I deliver, openers have been batting well and we didn’t want to trouble that, Mayank and the captain have given us some good starts right through, the win was more important for the team. I thought it was important to keep fit, I don’t like being on the bench but I was enjoying it and apart from the sickness I have been getting fitter,” he added.

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Watch Chris Gayle’s interview here: