T20 World Cup 2021: Don't Think Chris Gayle Has Done Justice To His Reputation - Dinesh Karthik On The Opener's Poor Form

Senior India cricketer Dinesh Karthik opined that Chris Gayle’s form in the ongoing T20 World Cup isn’t good enough to keep him in the eleven.

West Indies have been eliminated from the tournament, having lost three of their four matches so far. The disappointing form of Chris Gayle – 30 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 75 – mirrors the form of his side.

Dinesh Karthik asserted that the ‘Universe Boss’ hasn’t been able to live up to the expectations in this tournament.

“Based on his (Gayle’s) performances, if Gayle was a selector, he wouldn’t have been picking himself. I don’t think he has done justice to his reputation.

“He has played every game, but he has not played with the potential he has shown over a period of time. I think everybody knows that obviously you’re getting older by the day and you have to look in another direction,” Dinesh Karthik told Cricbuzz.

If you do want to look forward, then you have to move on: Dinesh Karthik

Asserting that Gayle, 42, is dismally out of touch, Dinesh Karthik felt it’s time that West Indies cricket look at their future, although, he admitted, it is a huge task for any batter to fill the big boots of the legendary cricketer.

“Whether West Indies will look at a young opener and somebody who can fill his boots. Those are huge boots to fill in as well. Over a time he’s arguably been the greatest T20 player in the world. So it’s not easy to replace him.

“But the question is if you do want to look forward, then you have to move on. So that’s the question that the West Indies selectors will be answering at the end of this World Cup for sure,” the KKR wicketkeeper concluded.

Gayle’s teammate, legendary all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has announced that he has decided to bring curtains on his international career. This T20 World Cup could well be the opener’s last.

West Indies take on Australia in their last Super 12 match on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

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