The “Universe Boss” Chris Gayle, one of the greatest names in T20 cricket, has spoken about a troubled Indian Premier League (IPL) chapter in his career. In a podcast, West Indian batting great Gayle spilled the beans that his experience with the Punjab Kings (earlier known as Kings XI Punjab) made him feel “disrespected” and “near depression.”
Gayle’s Experience With Punjab Kings
Gayle played for the Punjab Kings from 2018 to 2021, appearing in 41 games in his four-year career. The hard-hitting opening batsman accumulated 1,304 runs at a rate of 40.75 and a strike rate of 148.65. He had one hundred and eleven half-centuries in his aggregate, with a top score of 104 not out.
As much as the numbers may say otherwise, Gayle’s memories of playing with Punjab are anything but fond. He claimed that the management of the franchise did not treat him with the respect he merited as a veteran cricketer who had done so much to make the IPL popular.
“Felt Like I Was Going Into Depression”
In an open confession, Gayle admitted that he was hurt by the way he was left on the sidelines. “My IPL got cut short with Punjab. I was disrespected in Kings XI. For the first time in my life, I thought of going into depression. I cried speaking to Anil Kumble because I was really hurted. They treated me like a kid and not as someone who had given so much for this league,” Gayle said.
Chris Gayle Opens Up | How Punjab Kings Disrespected Him#Chrisgayle #IPL #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/dlTQDITh1u
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The Jamaican powerhouse revealed that he even walked away after a conversation with then-captain KL Rahul. “KL called me and said, ‘Chris, stay, you’ll play the next game.’ But I just said, ‘I wish you all the best,’ packed my bag, and walked out.”
Gayle’s IPL Journey Beyond Punjab
Chris Gayle started his IPL career with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009 but made his largest impact in Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he became a household name. Between 2011 and 2017, Gayle delivered some of the most devastating innings in the history of the IPL, including record-breaking 175* against Pune Warriors India.
Gayle had already established his legacy by the time he signed with Punjab Kings. Ironically, Punjab was the team where he joined in and scored the most runs throughout his IPL career.
Gayle’s Record Against Punjab Kings
A fascinating touch of irony, Chris Gayle’s top figures in the IPL were against the very franchise he played for later. In 16 innings vs Punjab Kings, he scored 797 runs, repeatedly tormenting their bowlers before eventually joining their ranks.
This figure highlights the irony in Gayle’s relationship with Punjab. While he plundered runs against them and subsequently contributed more than 1,300 runs to them, he still managed to feel disrespected during his time in the camp.
Legacy Untouched Despite Controversy
Though Gayle’s remarks have raised eyebrows and fueled controversy over franchises’ treatment of older players, his position as one of IPL’s greatest entertainers is not under contention. With more than 4,900 IPL runs, six hundreds, and the league’s record highest score for an individual, the “Universe Boss” has cemented a legacy beyond franchise controversy.
Gayle’s disclosures, though, are a reminder of the psychological struggles of players, even within the glamorous arena of franchise cricket.
