Before the onset of today’s match between Gujarat Lions and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chris Gayle required a paltry three runs to become the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in T20 cricket. The Universal Boss made his ODI debut in 1999, test debut in 2000 and his T20 debut in 2005. Ironically, the T20 cricket is the first format in which he has completed 10,000 runs. Watch the video of how Gayle scored his 10,000th T20 run:
— CricShots (@cric_shots) April 18, 2017
The feat is as special as it sounds and has put Gayle amongst the legends of the game. England’s William Gilbert Grace was the first person to touch the 10,000 mark in first-class cricket in 1873. 110 years down the line, in 1983, New Zealand’s Glenn Turner achieved the same feat in List A cricket. Another 34 years down the line, Christopher Henry Gayle registered his name in the books of history in terms of T20 cricket.
Gayle was excluded from the playing eleven in the last match to bring Shane Watson in the team. An injured AB de Villiers saw Gayle returning into the squad. Batting at the top of the order with his captain, Virat Kohli, Gayle started his innings in a cautious way. It was just a matter of time when he shifted gears and did what he is best known for.
In an innings which saw Gayle cruising back into form, the 37-year old southpaw scored 77 in 38 balls with the help of five fours and seven sixes. Watch the video to see how Gayle celebrated his half-century:
— CricShots (@cric_shots) April 18, 2017
Video Credits – IPL.
Featured image source: iplt20.com (screen grab)
