IPL-4 - Turning point in my life – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221
Master http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Richard-Terry-Bates-c85335, Chris Gayle, was thrilled with his batting performance in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and believes it has changed his life altogether.
He was not picked for the initial bid of the IPL-4 and thought his season chances were finished. Along with a snubbing from IPL, Gayle was not on good terms with the West Indian Cricket Board after he was not given proper attention while he was injured.
He was not interested in the IPL-4 before he got a call from the organisers of the Royal Challengers Bangalore to join them for rest of the event.
He was re-introduced in the side due to injuries to a couple of players and accepted the offer instantly.
Gayle, who had remained unsold at the IPL player's auction in January, said, "The situation at home before I came was different. I wasn't even watching the IPL and suddenly at 3 a.m. I got a call, Chris can you come? And I said yes".
He played his first match of the IPL-4 against Kolkata http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Knight-c71599 Riders on April 22, 2011 at the famous Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Kolkata Knight Riders had scored 171 runs in their allotted 20 overs for the loss of five wickets and he was sent in to open the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Gayle entered the event with a bang and humiliated the rival bowling attack on his way to scoring an unbeaten 102 runs off just 55 balls with the assistance of seven huge sixes and 10 fours. Gayle went on to win the match for his team in 18.1 overs.
He mesmerised and stunned the opposition, who had no answer to his explosive batting in the match.
Gayle never looked back from the first match and was honoured with the ‘Golden Player of the League’ award by becoming the highest scorer in the tournament.
He scored 608 runs at an excellent average of 67.55 runs, with a highest of 107 runs, two centuries, and, three fifties.
He took his team to the peak by bringing them into the Final but was unlucky not to open his account. After the final against Chennai Super Kings he said
"Disappointed that we had to lose tonight. Congrats to CSK, they played better and deserved to win".
Gayle was satisfied with his overall performance in the IPL-4 and believed, the event was the turning point in his life.
"Some things just happen and change your life, this was one of those. I must thank the whole team", he said.
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