Former West Indian superstar Chris Gayle made a massive revelation about his time with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Though the southpaw is still considered one of the biggest match-winners in the T20 circuit, he claimed to have been disrespected by PBKS to a huge extent that he felt he was going into a depression. The opening batter played for the franchise from 2018 to 2021, at the top of the order.
During his career at the PBKS, Gayle played 41 games, amassing 1,304 runs at an average of 40.75 and a strike rate of 148.65. He scored one ton and 11 half-centuries, with his best score being an unbeaten 104. However, his memories with PBKS are not fond & memorable.
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"My IPL ended prematurely with Punjab. I was disrespected at Kings XI. I felt I wasn't treated properly as a senior who had done so much for the league and brought value. They treated me like a kid. For the first time in my life, I felt like getting into depression. I broke down talking to Anil Kumble because I was really hurt. I was disappointed with him and the way the franchise was run," Gayle said in a chat with Shubhankar Mishra on the latter's podcast.
Gayle further went on to state that when KL Rahul (PBKS skipper) called him on the phone and guaranteed him a spot in the playing XI in the next match, the southpaw just thanked him and walked off.
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"KL Rahul even called me saying, 'Chris, stay, you'll play the next game'. But I just said, 'I wish you all the best', and packed my bag, and walked out".
Chris Gayle over the years in IPL
Without an iota of doubt, Gayle's best numbers came while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The opening batter, who initially went unsold in the 2011 mega auction, came as a replacement player for Dirk Nannes. The southpaw went onto have one of the best seasons for RCB, as he clinched the Orange Cap that year and helped RCB reach the finals. He played six more years for RCB, forming a formidable core with Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers.
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However, a slight dip in form in 2016 and 2017 with RCB was one of the main reasons for the franchise not retaining him ahead of the 2018 mega auction. Gayle then featured for PBKS, where, despite showing decent form he did not get consistent opportunities. The southpaw still holds the record for the highest-ever score in IPL - 175 against Pune Warriors India (PWI), which came in the 2013 IPL season.
