Chris Gayle did not take long to prove his detractors wrong. The most decorated batsman in the history of T20 cricket was in for huge embarrassment during this year’s auction. Despite being one of the best players in the history of the league, there were no takers for the Jamaican. He was picked up only after his name was called three separate times at the auction. Kings XI Punjab pounced upon the chance and secured Gayle’s services at a steal for his base price of INR 2 crore.
And Gayle is fast turning out to be the best bargain buy of the season. The southpaw has played two games so far and has bagged the Man of the Match award in both of them. He could not find a place in the playing eleven before being given a chance for the game against Chennai Super Kings. He marked his arrival with a whirlwind knock of 63 against the two-time IPL champions.
On Thursday (April 19), Gayle went on to make his critics eat their words with even a better display. The veteran batsman scored the first century of the season, helping Kings XI Punjab defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad. He notched up his sixth IPL century and 21st in T20s overall off 58 balls. The stunning knock was studded with 11 towering sixes and a solitary boundary. The first 50 came off 39 balls and he took a mere 19 balls to complete the second 50.
He reached the three-digit mark with a single and the celebrations followed. The 38-year old gestured rocking a baby in a cradle, with his wife and daughter in the VIP box to celebrate the moment.
“A lot of people thought I’m too old. After this innings, I have nothing to prove. This hundred is dedicated to my daughter. Tomorrow is her birthday,” Gayle said after the knock.
Meanwhile, Gayle’s stunning form has made Royal Challengers Bangalore a laughing stock on the social media. Despite Gayle being one of their best players, the franchise did not retain him. And after the fans, Virender Sehwag, mentor of Kings XI Punjab, has rubbed salts to Royal Challengers’ wounds. Known for his bold tweets, Sehwag took a cue from a popular meme and posted a hilarious tweet.
Here is the tweet:
If you don’t Then you don’t
Love me at Deserve me at
my my pic.twitter.com/lGQFHyimR0— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 19, 2018
He then posted his trademark witty remark, tweeting –
Live ko highlights bana de , aise hain Universe Boss , @henrygayle . Yet another absolutely brilliant innings !#KXIPvSRH
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 19, 2018
