Emotional Gayle laments lack of respect for him in franchise cricket
Chris Gayle has hit out at his critics, claiming that he does not get the necessary respect, whenever he is playing for a franchise. The Caribbean legend minced no words in a press conference, as he bid goodbye to the Jozi Stars while playing the Mzansi Super League in South Africa.
Gayle claimed after his final match in the league that he was always scapegoated whenever a franchise failed to live up to expectations. Unleashing a verbal Gayle-storm, the opener said:
“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. 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.”
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‘Chris Gayle never get no respect’
Gayle only managed to score 101 runs in the current edition of the MSL. His final knock in the tournament was his best one, blitzing 54 off only 27 deliveries against the Tshwane Spartans. The effort was not enough as Jozi Stars succumbed to another defeat. Being the defending champions, the Stars are yet to register a single victory in the tournament. But Gayle reaffirmed that the South African franchise wasn’t the target of his outburst:
“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 get no 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.”
Despite his outburst, Gayle would clarify that his playing days were far from over. Though he plans to take the rest of the year off, 2020 is sure to be a bring along a busy schedule. He will have various T20 assignments around the world, including the IPL with Kings XI Punjab.
