'Had great relationship with Virat Kohli; couldn't find myself...' - Chris Gayle's shocking revelation about RCB stint 

Veteran West Indies opener Chris Gayle and Indian batsman Virat Kohli have maintained a good friendship over the years. The duo has spent a lot of time together at the Royal Challengers Bangalore and are dearest friends off the field.

Kohli, who is currently the leading run scorer in the cash-rich league, has scored 7263 runs from 229 games. On the other hand, Gayle has the record for the highest individual score in the Indian Premier League as he smashed 175* runs against Pune Warriors India in the 2013 edition of the tournament.

While speaking to Star Sports, Chris Gayle opened up on his bond with Virat Kohli. Gayle revealed that the duo have a great relationship on and off the field. Gayle added that they also have some outstanding partnerships which include a few hundred-plus-run stands.

Chris Gayle stated that he was the one who used to go after the bowlers from the first ball, whereas, Virat Kohli used to take his time and build his innings. Gayle shared his views, regarding the year 2016, when Kohli became the leading run-scorer of the tournament and scored 973 runs with 4 hundreds.

Chris Gayle showers love for Virat Kohli

Chris Gayle said, “We had a good relationship, we had a great relationship pretty much on and off the field. We have some very very outstanding partnerships in the middle. We opened the batting together, and we have a couple of hundred-run partnerships. Pretty much I was the guy who was firing from ball 1, he was pretty much take his time to build his innings. I remember he had that fantastic run in 2016, he scored over 900 runs, four centuries as well in the IPL.”

Chris Gayle further added that the year 2017 was the last for him with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and he wasn’t able to fit into the ridiculous team. However, Gayle further added that he had some great moments with Virat Kohli. The duo shared some great moments wherein they danced together and believes that he is a great guy.

Chris Gayle said, “So that was fantastic. And that year was pretty much my last year, I think, with RCB. But that year was a special year for me because that’s the year my daughter was born, had to leave IPL, and then I went home to the birth of my child, my daughter at the time. And then I came back for the RCB team and I just couldn’t find myself fitting back in the team, which was very ridiculous being one of the best overseas players and I just couldn’t find a way back in the RCB team. But Kohli, we had some great moments off the field as well.”

“Some dance moves, a signature meet and greet, but it was just good fun. The after-parties upstairs at the hotel at that particular time were really good camaraderie together and was just one of those moments where we cherish those memories. Those memories will actually live on forever. And like I said, great guy as well.”

Virat Kohli will be seen in action in the Indian Premier League 2024 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.