IPL 2018: Virender Sehwag Explains Kings XI Punjab’s Decision To Buy Chris Gayle

When no other batsman in the world has managed to even cross the 9,000 run mark in T20, Chris Gayle has so far scored over 11,000 runs. In a format where scoring even one century helps the batsmen join an elite group, Gayle has scored a record 20 centuries, 13 more than second-placed Michael Klinger, in addition to smashing a record 67 fifties.

The most decorated batsman in the history of T20 cricket, however, did not have even a single buyer when his name popped up twice in the recently-concluded auction for the Indian Premier League. An IPL without Gayle would have been incomplete and fortunately, the Jamaican star was bought by Kings XI Punjab for his base price of ₹2 crore.

IPL 2018: Virender Sehwag Explains Kings XI Punjab’s Decision To Buy Chris Gayle
Kings XI Punjab bought Gayle (Credits: Getty)

At 38, Gayle is not getting any younger and his explosive batting is also dwindling. However, Virender Sehwag, director, and mentor of Kings XI Punjab knows what Gayle brings to the table and did not hesitate in going for him when the name popped out for the third time.

Explaining the move to bring in the player at the eleventh hour, the former India batsman told www.amarujala.com: “Simply having him (Gayle) in your side means a lot. Being an opening batsman, Gayle can prove to be a danger to any opposition.”

The Punjab-based outfit has built a solid squad for the upcoming season. Besides Gayle, they have Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and David Miller among a few other foreign recruits. Their Indian recruits are equally impressive as the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul and Karun Nair will play for them.

IPL 2018: Virender Sehwag Explains Kings XI Punjab’s Decision To Buy Chris Gayle
Kings XI Punjab camp at the auction (Credits: ESPNcricinfo)

Sehwag further indicated that Gayle might not play a part in all the games.

“Gayle’s brand value speaks for himself and how effective he is in this format. We decided to bring in Gayle as a back-up option for the opening slots,” Sehwag said.

Meanwhile, Gayle has looked in fine form in recent times. The hard-hitting batsman had a forgettable outing in the last IPL where he managed a modest total 200 runs at a below-par average of 22.22 in nine games but he recently roared back to form in Bangladesh Premier League.

After a lukewarm start to the tournament, the hard-hitting opener scored a staggering 275 runs in the last three games which saw him finish the tournament as the leading run-getter and help his side Rangpur Riders lift the trophy for the first time.

The left-handed batsman had scored an unbeaten 126 in the eliminator against Khulna Titans and followed it with an unbeaten 146 in the final against Dhaka Dynamites.

IPL 2018: Virender Sehwag Explains Kings XI Punjab’s Decision To Buy Chris Gayle
Gayle was the leading run-scorer in BPL (Credits: ESPN)

 

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