The big question: Have we seen the last of Chris Gayle in West Indies colours? The 42-year-old has not clarified it yet, but expressed his desire to play his final game in front of his home crowd in Jamaica.
Gayle was very much a part of West Indies’ last league stage game against Australia, where an eight-wicket loss saw the two-time champs bow out. It was truly the end of an era, with Dwayne Bravo having already confirmed his decision to hang up his boots at the end of the tournament. Both Bravo and Gayle were given a guard of honour by the Australian side.
Perhaps the greatest T20 cricketer ever, Gayle reluctantly accepted the fact that the game against Australia could have been his last in the World Cup. He also jokingly suggested that he would like to play one more World Cup, but he might not be allowed to.
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Gayle also reminisced about the early days of his career, including undergoing a heart procedure after observing an irregular heartbeat at Hobart in 2005.
Gayle also touched upon the fact that he played the entire World Cup through his father’s illness, and would rush back to Jamaica immediately.
“Most people didn’t even know since the first game of the World Cup my dad has been ill so I have to rush back to Jamaica tonight, see what the doctors have to say about him,” Gayle said. “He’s batting well, he’s 91 years old, but he’s been struggling a bit. I have to go back home.
he said in aa chat with the ICC.
Many associate Gayle with a carefree attitude to life in general, but the great man pointed out towards the difficulties he faced to get to where he is at the moment.
“I grew up from nothing to something. I didn’t have anything, I didn’t have the luxury when I was growing up so I used those things to motivate me as well.”
said a nostalgic Gayle.
He also added that the desire to do well and take care of his family were great motivating factors in his remarkable journey.
