The self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’, Chris Gayle has decided to pull out of this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) because of some personal reasons. According to reports of ESPNCricinfo, the tournament is scheduled to commence on August 18 and it will be played till September 10 behind closed doors in Trinidad and Tobago, but the tournament will only take place after the permission from the local government.

Gayle has conveyed his decision to the franchise St Lucia Zouks as he was picked up by the side prior to the tournament. As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, Gayle said that due to lockdown he has not been able to meet his family and has decided to take a break and spend time with them.

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40-year-old Chris Gayle was picked up by St. Lucia Zouks as one of the marquee players earlier this year in April. He has represented Jamaica Tallawahs and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the tournament. He has also won the CPL title twice with the Tallawahs.

Earlier this year, Gayle had avoided a penalty from the CPL for his public criticism of Ramnaresh Sarwan and other Jamaica Tallawahs members. The veteran West Indies opener had publically blamed Sarwan for his ousting from Tallawahs and called Sarwan “worse than coronavirus”.

The veteran southpaw opener is the leading T20 run-getter of all time as well as the man with the most centuries in the format. He is also the leading CPL run-scorer of all time, having amassed 2,344 runs in the tournament.

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Recently, Chirs Gayle also voiced his opinion against the racism along with former West Indies skipper, Darren Sammy. The latter has also demanded to educate the youngster regarding anti-racism.