Agency :
Chris Gayle has reiterated that he hasn’t retired yet from international cricket. Speculation on Gayle’s future was rife on Saturday (November 6) after the batsman appeared to join Dwayne Bravo in signing off from international cricket.
However, the legendary batsman has confirmed that he would like to bow out in front of his home crowd. “It’s been a phenomenal career,” Gayle said in a Facebook Live chat with ICC after West Indies’ final match of the T20 World Cup. “I didn’t announce any retirement but (if) they actually give me one game in Jamaica to go in front of my home crowd, then I can say ‘hey guys, thank you so much.’
“Let’s see. If not, I’ll announce it. Long time and then I’ll be joining DJ Bravo in the backend and say thanks to each and everyone but I can’t say that as yet. I was just having some fun today. Put everything that happened aside. I was just interacting with the fans in the stands and just having some fun seeing as it’s going to be my last World Cup game.”
Gayle also reflected on his long career and revealed that he has always been passionate when it comes to representing West Indies on the international stage. “I want to give thanks to actually be standing here today, aged 42 still going strong,” he said. “The career has been really great. I’ve had a bit of hiccups here and there. I’ve shed blood, I’ve shed tears in West Indies cricket, you name it, one leg, one hand, I’m still batting for West Indies.
“It was a pleasure always to represent West Indies, I’m very passionate about West Indies. It really hurts bad when we lose games and we don’t get the result and the fans [are] so [much] more very important to me because I’m an entertainer. When I don’t get the chance to entertain them it really hurt me a lot. You might not that see that expression, I might not show those sort of emotions, but I’m gutted inside for the fans, and especially for this World Cup as well.”
Despite coming across as a player who is easy-going on and off the field, Gayle pointed out that a lot of hard work has happened behind the scenes for him to have carved out a successful long career. “I’m a very determined person,” he said.
