Why Did Chris Gayle Leave IPL In 2021?: Chris Gayle is one of the greatest IPL players of all time. The West Indies great is among the very best overseas performers in the history of the Indian Premier League. Gayle pioneered the art of aggressive opening and was one of the cleanest hitters in the game, absolutely dominating any bowling line-up on his day.
However, in 2021, while playing for the Punjab Kings, the Jamaican left the competition midway, after the league was stopped due to COVID complications. When the league returned, Gayle did not.
The first two-thirds of the 2021 IPL season were the last time he would play in the league, as he did not return the next season and retired soon after. But what brought about his sudden departure from the biggest T20 league in the world and the league where Chris is still an absolute legend?
Why Did Chris Gayle Leave IPL In 2021?
Some might suggest it was his declining form. Well, the declining form part is true. In the 2021 season, the Universe Boss played 10 matches for the Kings and scored 193 runs at an average of 21.44, a strike rate of just over 125, and hit no half-centuries or tons.
However, for the past three seasons, while playing for the Punjab-based franchise, Gayle’s average had been over 40 while he had a healthy strike rate. Even in the 2020 season, in which Chris played only seven games, his average was 41.14, as he scored three 50s in just seven matches.
So, rather than declining in form with age, Chris Gayle’s poor 2021 season would rather be seen as a blip. And yes, while such a blip at the age of 41 is not the best sign, cricketers have continued playing at the highest level even after much worse declines. And so, Gayle probably could have played a season or two more if he so wanted.
The reason cited by the West Indies legend himself back in 2021 for leaving the league was bio-bubble fatigue. Gayle, throughout his two-decade-long career, has developed an image as a party lover. The big man loves to enjoy himself among people. For that, it seems the COVID bio-bubble was especially hard on him.
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For the 2020 and 2021 seasons of the IPL, not only was the league played in front of no fans, but all the players and supporting staff had to stay locked up in their hotels inside what was called the bio-bubble. And so, in 2021, when the league was stopped for a few months and Gayle got out of the bubble, it was only natural for him not to want to return.
But recently, Chris Gayle has revealed the ‘real’ reason behind the premature end of his time in the IPL. The 45-year-old revealed in a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra that he felt disrespected by the Punjab Kings franchise and hence ended his time with the side and the league earlier than he would have preferred.
“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. 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,” Gayle explained.
Chris Gayle is clearly among the greatest overseas cricketers in IPL history. In the 13 seasons he was in the league, Gayle played 142 matches, most of them for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru from 2011 to 2017. In that time, he scored 4965 runs at an average of 39.72 and a strike rate of 148.96. He also has the record for the highest score in a T20 match, his famous 175* against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Check Out: Why Did Chris Gayle Leave IPL In 2021
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