Chris Gayle has left the Punjab Kings team hotel and bio-bubble, owing to ‘bubble fatigue’ accumulated over the months playing franchise and International cricket.
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Popular West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has decided to cut short his stint with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Gayle termed ‘bubble fatigue’ as the factor which influenced this decision, having spent quite a period of time in a bio-bubble playing franchise and International cricket in recent times. The 42-year-old won’t be available now for selection for the remainder of PBKS’ games, which will certainly be an area of concern for the Punjab-based franchise.
“Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself. I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai. My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the games coming up,” said the Windies superstar as quoted by PBKS’ official website.
Gayle has been part of bio-bubbles constantly since cricket resumed post the COVID-19 pandemic, starting from the IPL 2020. He also was part of the West Indies squads for their home games against Sri Lanka and Australia. That was immediately followed by the 2021 Caribbean Premier League, where Gayle was once again in a bio-bubble environment for the entirety of the competition.
Since cricket resumed post the pandemic, cricket boards around the world have resorted to playing with bio-bubbles. This limits the players’ contacts to their team hotel and the ground. Players are required to stay within the confines of their team hotel, and cannot mingle with anyone outside that even on non-match days. Player movement is limited to within their team hotel and the venues where the games are held.
These stringent rules have often been difficult for professional cricketers, causing bubble fatigue. Prior to Gayle, players like Ben Stokes, Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone and Andrew Tye have all opted out of their respective franchise or international commitments due to bubble fatigue, so as to focus on their mental health.
“Chris Gayle has taken this decision keeping in mind the T20 World Cup which begins on 17th October. The 42-year-old has opted to prioritize his mental health and take a bit of a breather from bubble environments so as to stay fresh and energized in what could be his last T20 World Cup as a player for West Indies. Punjab Kings as a franchise completely understand and back Chris Gayle’s decision to pull out of the 2021 VIVO Indian Premier League. The team respects the cricketer’s wishes and will continue to support Gayle in every way possible, going forward. The franchise would also like to wish the Universe Boss all the very best for the forthcoming T20 World Cup,” stated a press release from PBKS’ official website.
Head coach and Director of Cricket Operations Anil Kumble was full of praise for Gayle following this decision, hailing him as an”absolute professional”.
“I’ve played against Chris and have coached him at Punjab Kings and all through the years I’ve known him he has always been an absolute professional and we as a team respect his decision and desire to prepare himself for the T20 World Cup,” said Kumble.
Satish Menon, the CEO of PBKS hailed Gayle as a legend who has changed the game of T20 cricket.
“Chris is a legend who has changed the game of T20 cricket, and we stand by his decision. He is a part of the Punjab Kings family, and his presence will be missed. We extend all support to him and wish him success,” he stated.
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