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IPL 2021: Punjab Kings lets go of Chris Gayle ahead of ICC World T20 2021

Punjab Kings would continue its IPL 2021 campaign in UAE without Chris Gayle. He is a part of the Windies squad for the upcoming ICC World T20, to be held in the Gulf from October 17.

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings lets go of Chris Gayle ahead of ICC World T20 2021-ayh
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Dubai - United Arab Emirates, First Published Oct 1, 2021, 8:30 AM IST

Chris Gayle would not take part in the remainder of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) and has been let go by Punjab Kings (PBKS). He has decided to leave the IPL bubble to stay fresh ahead of his international commitment for Windies for the 2021 ICC World T20, set to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from October 17.

“Seasoned Caribbean batsman Chris Gayle has left the Punjab Kings team hotel and bio-bubble today, owing to ‘bubble fatigue’ accumulated over the months playing franchise and International cricket. The 42-year-old won’t be available now for selection for the remainder of Punjab Kings’ games,” announced PBKS in a release.

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IPL 2021: Punjab Kings lets go of Chris Gayle ahead of ICC World T20 2021-ayh

“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,” it concluded.

Speaking on his decision, Gayle said in a statement to PBKS, “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.”

ALSO READ: IPL 2021, KKR vs PBKS preview- Kolkata looks to continue its unremitting form against an irregular Punjab

Gayle has played ten matches for PBKS in IPL 2021, scoring 193 runs at an average of 21.44 and a strike rate of 125.32. PBKS is yet to qualify for the playoffs, having placed sixth, with four wins from 11 games.

Windies is the defending champion of WT20, having won the tournament in 2016, defeating England in the final, while it was its second title. It would take part directly in the Super 12s and plays the 2016 runner-up England in its opening game on September 23. It has been placed in Group 1, alongside England, Australia and South Africa, along with a couple of qualifiers.

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