The Universe’s Boss Chris Gayle “deserves” demands respect
Christopher Henry Gayle, just a name for many, who by far have no connection to the Game of Cricket. But ask those who knows the slightest about the Game of Cricket, he would certainly get awe-struck once heard the name of Chris Gayle. The self proclaimed but widely accepted, “Universe’s Boss” undoubtedly is the biggest nightmare for the opposition bowlers and their captains. Chris Gayle is a havoc wreaking machine when he gets going and the crowds in the stadiums and those watching on TV expects ‘Gayle-storm’ everywhere and everytime he plays. And at the stage of life he is in, this same Swag and Charisma which he possessed once, which became an expectation for every now and then; seems to haunt Chris Gayle, as the disheartened ‘Jamaican Big Guy’ took to a press conference and stated “As soon as I don’t perform for two or three games, then Chris Gayle is the burden for the team.”
Chris Gayle said at a press conference after the Stars collapsed from a winning position against Tshwane Spartans in the MSL “As soon as I don’t perform for two or three games, then Chris Gayle is the burden for the team.”
Chris Gayle told ESPNcricinfo “I am not talking for this team. This is something I have analysed over the years playing franchise cricket. Chris Gayle is always a burden if I don’t score runs, two, three, four times. It seems like that one particular individual is the burden for the team. And then you will hear bickering. I am not going to get respect. People don’t remember what you have done for them. I don’t get respect.”
“And I am not talking about this franchise. I am talking generally. Even from players as well, I am talking. Players, management, head of management, board members. Chris Gayle never get no respect. Once Chris Gayle fails, it’s the end of his career, he is no good, he is the worst player and all these other things. I’ve generally overcome these things and I expect these things and I have lived with these things.”
Chris Gayle is the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, his accolades and Charisma is unmatched but the same cannot be expected all the time. As in the latest Mzansi Super League campaign, Chris Gayle, who plays for Jozi Stars’ managed to score only 101 runs in the six matches he played. Chris Gayle had only 1 -50-plus score in the entire tournament. Jozi Stars’ have lost all their six matches so far they have played in this year’s MSL. The Mzansi Super League is the premier Twenty20 cricket tournament in South Africa. It consists of six franchise teams representing different South African cities. After a disastrous campaign, Chris Gayle bid an explosive goodbye to the league.
Chris Gayle also said that last year the dressing room environment was fantastic, but this year the team is not a ‘champion team’ and there is a lot of uncertainty from the players.
“This is not a champion team. This is not how defending champions should play to defend the title. Most of the times it’s been a lot of uncertainty from guys and I don’t know if it’s an off the field problem, I don’t know what’s happening. I think individuals, the franchise itself, needs to look at themselves and dig deep with what is happening. Something is wrong. I don’t know what it is but we need to find out what’s wrong.”
This statement from a Legend and most importantly from someone who is renowned for his fairplay arises concerns over the League and the team franchise. But, who’s going to dig deep into the matter? only time will tell, and What did Chris Gayle mean by “Something is wrong.”
