The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 witnessed several game-changing moments and entertained fans to forget the ongoing tough times. For the West Indies legend Brian Lara, the high point in the recently ended season was a comeback of the Chris Gayle in Kings XI Punjab playing XI.
Chris Gayle missed the first few matches because he was serving a quarantine period. He was then benched for a couple of other matches because the team had found a perfect opening combination in the form of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
But KXIP struggled to convert the result in their favour, which led to the demand for Chris Gayle’s return. KXIP, however, further delayed his comeback stating the Windies was suffering from a stomach infection.
Finally, the Universe Boss entered the field in the eighth match of KXIP against RCB. His inclusion in the playing XI brought luck back for Punjab as they went on to win five matches on the trot and suddenly, they were alive in the playoffs race. Albeit, the late fightback could not help KXIP to seal the berth in the playoffs.
However, Chris Gayle managed to make a huge impact, scoring 288 runs, including 3 fifties, in just 7 matches. Gayle’s addition added firepower to the KXIP middle-order as he batted at No. 3 instead of the regular opener’s spot.
Chris Gayle’s Comeback Favourite Moment For Brian Lara
Seeing the whole dramatic turn around in KXIP because of Chirs Gayle, Brian picks that it was the high point in the IPL 2020. He added the atmosphere would have been even more electrifying had the IPL 2020 been played in front of packed stands when Chris Gayle made his comeback. Notably, IPL 2020 was played in front of empty stands in the UAE due to the pandemic.
“I think the Universe Boss – Chris Gayle. The reason being that there were 50-60 thousand people watching, and when he arrived in the tournament in the second half. His performances and how he got Kings XI Punjab going and almost getting there. I think it’s just been amazing watching him and the turnaround of Kings XI Punjab,” Brian Lara told Star Sports.
The 41-year-old Chris Gayle has defied all the age calculation. He has still not announced his retirement while at the end of IPL, he has said that there was no retirement news soon.