Jozi Stars’ batsman, Chris Gayle bid an emotional farewell to the Mzansi Super League yesterday. The ambassador of T20 cricket, Gayle said that as soon as he fails to deliver, he becomes a burden for the team.
“As soon as I don’t perform for two or three games, then Chris Gayle is the burden for the team. I am not talking for this team only. This is something I have analysed over the years playing franchise cricket. Chris Gayle is always a burden if I don’t score runs, two, three, four times,” ESPN Cricinfo quoted Gayle as saying.
“It seems like that one particular individual is the burden for the team. And then you will hear bickering. I am not going to get respect. People don’t remember what you have done for them. I don’t get respect,” he added.
Jozi Stars’ lost all their six matches they have played in this year’s MSL and after Sunday’s loss to Tshwane Spartans, they are out of the competition. Gayle had a poor run throughout, but on Sunday, he scored a half-century before speaking out on being a liability in franchise cricket.
The once swashbuckling opener also went on to say that he gets no respect from the team management and once he fails, he becomes the worst player.
“And I am not talking about this franchise. I am talking generally. Even from players as well, I am talking. Players, management, head of management, board members. Chris Gayle never gets any respect. Once Chris Gayle fails, it’s the end of his career, he is no good, he is the worst player and all these other things. I’ve generally overcome these things and I expect these things and I have lived with these things,” he said.
At his peak, Chris Gayle was the most feared batsman in T20 cricket. In 58 T20 internationals, he has 1627 runs, with the average dropping only in the last two years. He is also a T20 globetrotter and has featured in several leagues across the world. However, his form has largely dipped in the last two years and he has been benched in most of the games in most of the series.
