No Chris 'Gale' for Sri Lanka this time around – Opinion
The T20 format of the game of cricket is as exciting as those who manage to make it happen on the field. Whether it is with the ball or with the bat, the shortest format of the game is shaped by individuals who have made breathtaking contributions for their
respective teams and franchises. In the consumerist times of today, it is fair to say that a few players have cemented themselves as the grand ambassadors of T20 cricket. One can think of Shahid Afridi of Pakistan or Brendon McCullum of New Zealand, who have
revolutionized the manner in which the shortest format is approached by many teams. Sadly, with the Sri Lanka Premier League just a couple of days away, one player’s absence has dealt a severe blow to his franchise, the entire tournament and his fervent fan
following.
The gigantic, hard hitting batsman, who managed to ignite stands as far as the Kensington Oval to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, will not be embracing the fields of the Emerald Isle due to a groin injury. He was one of the icon players to look out for in this
tournament and was the captain of the Uva Next franchise. His batting and captaincy prowess along with his useful bowling will be sorely missed in many different ways.
No player in the history of the T20 format has made such a grave impact on the shortest version of the game as Chris Gayle in his full prime. His thunderous hitting and magnificent stroke play has been iconic for the West Indies and his numerous endorsements
in the domestic circuit. His ability to annihilate attacks has been a regular feature of the many editions of the DLF IPL that have taken place all around the world. Whether it is on the rock hard surface of Johannesburg or the dustbowl of the Feroz Shah Kotla,
Gayle has entertained everyone who has been glued onto their television sets or been waving flags in the stadium’s stands. His former franchise, The Royal Challengers Bangalore, felt significantly handicapped without him whenever they embraced the fields of
India against any top quality opposition. This was in spite of the fact that they had players with amazing chutzpah, such as Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Chris Gayle was definitely considered to be the most prized player by the opposition and a weapon that
the RCB can deploy with great effect. Oppositions almost felt that they had a chance of beating the RCB whenever he was dismissed which underlines his stature as the best T20 batsman in the world.
In light of his indispensability to the shortest format of the game, it is not surprising that the tall, Jamaican left hander was the first to register a T20 century at the international level. That amazing innings came off just 57 deliveries in a high pressure
opening game, against a potent South African bowling attack. That display of swashbuckling stroke play was the start of a legacy that haunted some of the thriftiest bowlers in world cricket, who acknowledged that they had to mix it up or suffer from witnessing
cricket balls being deposited in the stands with impunity.
He is arguably the most prized player in the Sri Lanka Premier League as well, and his absence would deal a huge blow to numerous sponsorship endorsements and the respective club that he would have represented. The Uva Next would be deprived of the contributions
that he has made for the RCB, who may not be able to thank him enough for helping them achieve the unthinkable. His 102 off just 55 deliveries with ten boundaries and seven sixes against the Kolkata Knight Riders, was one for the heavens in the 2011 Edition
of the IPL. Similarly, the 2012 season for the RCB could not have been purpler for Gayle, as he amassed a ridiculous 59 sixes, which helped him earn a nomination for the prestigious orange cap.
In light of all his achievements, he will be sorely missed and the SLPL of 2012 will definitely be incomplete without him.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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