Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’ and a titan of T20I cricket, has finally opened up about his unceremonious exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2021. In a shocking revelation on a recent podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, the West Indian legend accused his former team, Punjab Kings, of disrespecting him, a revelation that sheds new light on the final chapter of his incredible IPL career.
With over 14,500 runs in T20I cricket, Chris Gayle’s contributions to the game are unparalleled. He holds the record for the most sixes in the IPL with a staggering 357, having amassed 4965 runs in 142 matches for three different teams.
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Despite his legendary status, his final season with Punjab Kings ended abruptly when he left the bio-bubble midway. Now, years later, he has disclosed the emotional toll it took.
“To be honest, I was disrespected at Kings XI Punjab,” Chris Gayle revealed. “I felt I wasn’t treated properly as a senior player who had done so much for the league and brought value to the franchise. Instead, they treated me like a kid. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was slipping into depression.”
He explained that his mental well-being became a priority over the financial aspect of the game. “Your mental health is more important than money,” he stated, recounting a tearful phone call with then-coach Anil Kumble. “I broke down talking to Anil because I was really hurt. I was disappointed with him and the way the franchise was run.”
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Chris Gayle also shared that even his captain, KL Rahul, tried to convince him to stay. “KL Rahul, the captain, even called me saying, ‘Chris, stay, you’ll play the next game.’ But I just said, ‘I wish you all the best,’ packed my bag, and walked out.”
When asked about a potential return to the IPL, the two-time T20I World Cup winner admitted he was open to it but acknowledged that the experience had left him with “grudges.” Chris Gayle’s candid confession highlights the immense pressure and emotional challenges even the biggest stars face in the high-stakes world of franchise cricket.