Chris Gayle Should Play Every Game Next Season: Ness Wadia

Chris Gayle, West Indies swashbuckling opener, once again displayed in the recently concluded Indian Premier League that age is just a number for the legendary batsman as he spearheaded Kings XI Punjab’s middle-order, scoring 288 runs in seven games at an average of 41.14, including a brilliant 99 against the Rajasthan Royals.

Gayle warmed the bench for the first five games of the season before missing two more due to food poisoning and like pundits and fans, KXIP co-owner, Ness Wadia also believes that the ‘Universe Boss’ should have played from the very first game.

Nadia reckoned that an experienced player like Chris Gayle should play every game, come the next season of the cash-rich league.

“The team management did what it thought was best for the team. It is important to back experienced players and Gayle has demonstrated that he should play every game next season,” Ness Wadia told PTI.

 

‘We need to plug the gaps’- KXIP co-owner Ness Wadia

Kings XI Punjab recovered brilliantly after having lost six of their first seven fixtures by winning five on the bounce before eventually missing out on the playoffs spot courtesy of consecutive defeats in the last two league matches.

Ness Wadia lauded the duo of skipper KL Rahul and head coach, Anil Kumble, for the resurgence before reiterating the need to plug the obvious gaps in the set-up- middle-order batting and death bowling.

“We have charted a three-year strategy with Anil. We revamped this season and finished sixth and lost (the play-off spot) only by one game. K L has been with us for three years and there was a reason why we went after him so aggressively. He has proved us right.” Ness Wadia said.

“It is tough for the top order when your middle order is not performing. The good thing is that we have an established core now (Rahul, Agarwal, Pooran, Gayle, and Shami) and we need to plug the gaps which are quite apparent (middle-order and death bowling),” he said.

“Rahul captained exceedingly well and gained in confidence with each game. We are lucky to have him. Shami has been brilliant too and has adjusted brilliantly to the T20 format. Pooran and the young Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh too performed well.” the co-owner signed off.

Also Read- KXIP Should Not Retain Chris Gayle In The Mega Auction: Aakash Chopra