Although Chris Gayle hasn’t played a match for over a year, KL Rahul believes that his KXIP teammate would be the part of the core group in the IPL 2020 edition. The windies cricketer Gayle is expected to join KL Rahul in the UAE ahead of the commencement of the league from 19th Septemeber.
The 40-year-old Chris Gayle had made himself unavailable for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) so it was speculated that the veteran would also miss the IPL. However, the self-proclaimed Universe Boss is set to play for KXIP in the upcoming edition.
Chris Gayle’s experience will help KXIP: KL Rahul
KL Rahul, who has shared the dressing room with the giant cricketer for the past two editions, said that he shares a great bond with Chris Gayle. He believes that the veteran’s experience would help the team to win the matches.
“We at Kings XI Punjab have had a great experience with Chris and me luckily, I have played with him for years now, we have shared great friendship, we have had some partnerships in the middle, he is a great guy to have in the team,” Rahul said in a video posted on the official website of the IPL.
“He will be a part of our core group, with the kind of experience he has, he will be somebody who will win matches for us,” he added.
Earlier, Chris Gayle had tested negative of the infectious virus after attending the party of Usain Bolt who had tested COVID-19 positive.
Gayle has played 24 matches for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, managing to score 858 runs with his highest score being 104 not out in the 2018 edition.
Most likely, Gayle and Rahul would come out to open the batting for the side in the upcoming 2020 edition.
Meanwhile, the IPL franchises have landed in the UAE in their hotel where they are currently in the quarantine period. All the players will have to go under the COVID-19 test three times before staring their training camps.