During the 12th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings at Mohali, Chris Gayle commenced his season by registering a hard-hitting half-century, his 22nd of the IPL.
Gayle was included into the playing eleven for the first time in this season. Brought into the side in place of Marcus Stoinis, he proved as to why he is known as the Universe Boss in the world of cricket. Chris was sent in to open the batting with Lokesh Rahul. The first ball which he faced was hit for a four through the off-side off Harbhajan Singh.
Gayle again targeted the veteran Indian off-spinner in his next over, scoring a four and a six in the fourth over of the innings. Shardul Thakur, who was introduced into the attack in the fifth over, induced an edge off Gayle’s bat, but the ball went in between wicket-keeper Dhoni and a wide slip to the third-man boundary.
Gayle was brutal against Deepak Chahar when he hit 22 runs off the Super Kings’ pacer in the last over of the powerplay. Kings XI Punjab had scored 75-0 in the powerplay. Gayle had contributed 46* (21) in the powerplay.
On the fourth ball of the seventh over, Gayle hit a four over Imran Tahir’s head to bring up his half-century. He followed it with a monumental six on the last ball of the over. Gayle eventually walked back to the pavilion in the 12th over after he mistimed a pull off Shane Watson to Tahir. He ended up scoring 63 (33) with the help of seven fours and four sixes.
Watch how Twitterati reacted to Gayle’s whirlwind innings:
Chris Gayle seems to be in his 175 mood…#KXIPvCSK#IPL2018
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 15, 2018
Take cover everyone, there's a 🌪️ brewing in Mohali!
Chris Gayle is at the crease! #KXIPvCSK
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 15, 2018
Chris Gayle – 50 in 22 balls today – his second fastest in IPL.
His only faster 50 was off 17 balls v PWI when he scored 175. #KXIPvCSK
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 15, 2018
And Chris Gayle was Unsold in first few rounds of IPL auction…
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 15, 2018
#KXIPvCSK
CSK must be wondering why they didn’t buy Chris Gayle. He is certainly old enough for them.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) April 15, 2018
RCB fans watching KL Rahul and Chris Gayle batting. pic.twitter.com/imUjFrzRum
— addy (@amuyuvi) April 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Atheist_Krishna/status/985534922008899584
#Gaylestorm Chris gayle was not sold on the 1st day. He was sold on 2nd day to Punjab on his base price. All others owners of IPL clapped sarcastically for Preity zinta because it was her decision to buy Chris Gayle. I think Gayle today has replied to all of them with his bat.
— Hakuna Matata (@Sudhanidhi) April 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/pbtcult/status/985536585612570624
Other team owners after watching Chris Gayle’s inning.#KXIPvCSK pic.twitter.com/ztF96SiB0P
— Harsh Dhillon (@BeingJazbati_) April 15, 2018
Heartfelt & deepest condolences for
RCB team selector Vettori who left KLRahul & Chris Gayle ..#KXIPvCSK— Sharath (@Sharathhns) April 15, 2018
Chris Gayle is Undertaker of #IPL #KXIPvCSK
— A.B. (@anjali_bothra) April 15, 2018
Not picked in the early rounds of the auction.
Not selected for the first two games of the season.
Smashes 63 runs off 33 balls.
Chris Gayle is back.
— bet365 (@bet365) April 15, 2018
*Chris Gayle batting*
Me : ye highlights aa raha hai kya?😂😂😂😂
— Saharsh (@saharsh77) April 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/tushartweets13/status/985538326143819777
Chris Gayle is back and how! Terrific batting by the big man and KL Rahul. Should be an exciting inning to watch! #KXIPvCSK #ipl2018 #starsports
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 15, 2018
There are cricketers and then there is universe boss Chris Gayle. Absolute entertainer. #KXIPvCSK
— Dil Nawaz (@ConsiderMeHappy) April 15, 2018
Chris Gayle makes the live game look like highlights.
— Ojas (@Ojasism) April 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/gautamverma23/status/985532383322689542
Why were all the @IPL teams sleeping on Chris Gayle? I've heard he is a handy player. 20 T20 hundreds not good enough for every other team apparently. #IPL #UniverseBoss #Gayle #GayleForce
— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) April 15, 2018
