When it comes to Chris Gayle, one can only remember him for his explosive batting, keep aside his flirtatious nature. Currently, he is proving his worth at the age of 41, as he is giving his valuable services to Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
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Nonetheless, one has to accept the fact that he is at the business end of his career and might not have enough cricket left in him, no matter how long he keeps performing. As one thinks about how long he could continue, Gayle has said about what his KXIP teammates feel about him possibly retiring.
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“Today, the coach asked the senior players that we need to step up in crucial games, and I am glad we were able to put my hand up. And, the youngsters in the team are telling me, ‘Don’t retire,’” Gayle was quoted as saying following KXIP’s win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday.
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“Been training off the field when not playing, doing my runs, gym. Feeling good. Have a good feeling about myself and the team. Just capitalising on it, but still a long way to go,” he added.
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Gayle has had a glorious career, especially in the shortest format. Ever since making his T20Is debut for Windies, in 2006, he has scored 1,627 runs at an average of 32.54, which includes a couple of centuries and 13 half-centuries.
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He has scored over 13,000 runs in the format overall, at an average of 38.16, including 22 centuries and 84 half-centuries. In the IPL, he has played for three sides to date, scoring 4,661 runs in 130 matches at an impressive average of 40.88, including six centuries and 30 half-centuries.
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Despite being over 40, he is showing no signs of slowing down. Although he had contemplated retiring from international cricket, following the 2019 ICC World Cup, he is yet o formally retire from any format.
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As for KXIP, the side has won six matches in 12 games, besides losing six, as they are currently placed in the fourth spot. They are one of the three sides to have never won the title to date, including Gayle, as both would like to lift the coveted trophy this year.
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