Chris Gayle recently took the decision to pull out of PBKS' remaining IPL 2021 campaign, saying he needed to give himself a break before the T20 World Cup.
Follow Us
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen believes that Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) did not treat Windies superstar Chris Gayle in a proper manner, during his stint in the 2021 edition. Gayle did not enjoy an opportunity to represent PBKS on his 42nd birthday last month. The Windies superstar played only two matches for the Punjab-based franchise in the UAE leg of IPL 2021, which certainly raised eyebrows. Gayle did not make much of an impact in those encounters, scoring just 1 and 14 in those games.
“He is not being treated right in his environment. He feels like they are using him and getting rid of him, using him and getting rid of him. Didn’t play him on his birthday, cast him aside. If he is not happy, he is 42, let him do what he wants,” said Pietersen on Star Sports.
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that PBKS will miss the presence of Gayle in the camp for the remainder of IPL 2021.
“A game-changer like Chris Gayle, if he is not in the team, 100 percent it’s a big loss. I think he is in and out of the team. I don’t know what the calculations are. Clearly only 4 overseas players can play but sometimes when you see the player who has picked in his place, knowing what he has delivered in the past And sure, he is over 40 and he might not be able to do it at a consistent level that he used to do. But he is a game-changer. 3 overs of Gayle storm and the game is gone from the opposition,” said Gavaskar.
Gayle has decided to cut short his stint with PBKS in the ongoing IPL 2021. The cricketer 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.
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.
