I've Been Having Fun Out There Batting With Youngsters: Chris Gayle

Kings XI Punjab batsman Chris Gayle was once again at the forefront of his side’s innings as his 63-ball 99 catapulted KXIP to 185 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi. Chris Gayle’s innings contained eight sixes and six fours as he punished the Royals’ bowlers for missing their lengths periodically. Despite missing out on a hundred by a run, he claimed that he regards it as a hundred.

It was Chris Gayle’s third hundred in as many as six IPL 2020 matches as he sent several records tumbling. The Jamaican received a lifeline when he was on 20 as Riyan Parag could not hold on to a skier. Leg-spinner Rahul Tewatia could not get a hand to it off his bowling as well as it was out of his reach, running back. Post that, the 41-year old kept clearing the boundary quite comfortably.

It was Rajasthan Royals’ best bowler Jofra Archer, who claimed his wicket with a perfect yorker on the leg-stump in the final over. It hit him on the bat and struck the stumps. Furiously, the Universe Boss slammed the bat on the ground for perishing for 99 as Archer was all respectful of the veteran. Kings XI Punjab walked into the game against the Royals with an unchanged side while Rajasthan made one change.

“I missed out today but in my mind, it’s a century” : Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle began by admitting that 180 is a good total and that the pitch would only keep getting better in the second innings. On asked what keeps him going at the age of 41, he credited the mental aspect of it; however, Gayle feels unfortunate to miss out on a hundred marginally. Chris Gayle added that he would love to have an IPL trophy under his belt and will like to continue KXIP’s winning run apart from being oblivious of those records that he created today. The veteran batsman considers it as a hundred even though he missed out on it.

“It was a good knock, I thought 180 is a good total and it’s a good wicket. It will get better in the second innings. Getting out on 99 is unfortunate, these things will happen but it was a good ball, still feeling good. To be honest, it’s all about the mental aspect of my game and that’s what keeps me going. I’m enjoying the cricket the same way. I’d love to have the IPL trophy under my belt, but still a long way to go. It’s an important game for us. Want to win this. I’ve been having fun out there batting with youngsters and it’s a good thing. I don’t know the record (about the 1000 sixes), I’m still hitting it well. The hard work and the dedication over the years have paid off. To the guys who I promised to get a century, I missed out today but in my mind, it’s a century (laughs). We just need a win,” Gayle told in the mid-innings presentation.

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