‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle arrived in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) in style, with the West Indies opener smashing a 47-ball 79 for Kings XI Punjab in their clash against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur.
At 39, the veteran batsman continues to go from strength to strength and he gave fans another reminder of his T20 prowess with a swashbuckling display at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur.
Gayle was in full flow against Rajasthan, with his highly entertaining knock helping Kings XI post a commanding total of 184-4. In the process, the West Indies stalwart also became the quickest batsman in IPL history to bring up 4,000 runs.
Here, we take a closer look at the southpaw’s display in his maiden IPL 2019 outing.
STATISTICS
RUNS: 79
BALLS FACED: 47
BOUNDARIES: 8
SIXES: 4
STRIKE-RATE: 168.08
30-SECOND REPORT
Opening the batting for Kings XI alongside KL Rahul, Gayle started off circumspectly as has become his trademark style before launching into a ferocious assault against the Rajasthan bowlers.
The veteran changed gears once the halfway stage of Kings XI’s innings had been crossed and started to rain down the sixes on the small boundaries in Jaipur. Bringing up his half-century off just 33 balls, Gayle was looking ever so threatening as the death overs approached but he ultimately was caught excellently on the boundary ropes by Rahul Tripathi while attempting to launch another Ben Stokes delivery for a six.
🏏 Fewest innings to 4000 #IPL runs:
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) March 25, 2019
112 - Chris Gayle
114 - David Warner
128 - Virat Kohli
140 - Suresh Raina
140 - Gautam Gambhir#RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/9LXAv3HFVH
GOT RIGHT
No panic. Despite KL Rahul falling early at the other end along with Mayank Agarwal, Gayle kept his cool in the early stages and was content to bide his time against the likes of Jofra Archer. The 39-year-old has tailored his game to start watchfully before changing gears and that is exactly what he did against the Royals to lethal effect.
The first 26 deliveries that Gayle faced yielded only 28 runs but just seven balls later, he was bringing up another quick-fire fifty. It was hard to see anyone dislodging Gayle once he had settled and it took an exceptional catch in the deep to end his whirlwind knock in the end.
Even Archer, who had conceded just two runs from his first two overs, was made to look ordinary once Gayle was in full flow.
CHRIS GAYLE in the first match of a season:
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 25, 2019
10(12)
75(60)
102(55)*
2(8)
92(58)*
20(7)
96(56)
1(4)
32(21)
63(33)
79(47) -- Today#IPL2019 #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/xvwed9oQfM
GOT WRONG
As has been the case with Gayle in the past couple of years, his running between the wickets left plenty to be desired. One run was being taken when there should have been two while otherwise straightforward singles were converted into dot balls, with Gayle’s fitness coming under the scanner once again.
However, when you have the ability to accelerate like Gayle and clear the boundary ropes with such consummate ease, no one is really complaining – except maybe Rajasthan’s bowlers.
VERDICT – 8/10
It wasn’t Gayle at his vintage best, with the veteran taking his time to get going at Jaipur, but he was still effective enough to help Kings XI post a total which would be considered over par at the venue.
With Punjab’s middle-order woes from last season all too well known, Gayle will be crucial once again to giving the side some excellent starts in the long campaign ahead.
Having been off the boil in the recent T20 clashes against England for the West Indies, Gayle finding form straightaway in the IPL is an ominous sign for the opposition bowlers.
