Chris Gayle Shares Disrespect Experience With Punjab Kings In IPL; Says KL Rahul, Anil Kumble Always Supported

Chris Gayle, known as the Universe Boss, recently shared a significant experience from his time with the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite being a T20 cricket icon, Gayle felt 'disrespected' by the team, leading to feelings of depression. He played for Punjab Kings from 2018 to 2021, primarily as an opening batsman.

During his tenure with the team, Gayle participated in 41 matches and amassed 1,304 runs. His batting average was 40.75 with a strike rate of 148.65. He achieved one century and eleven half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 104. However, his memories of playing for the franchise were not pleasant.

Gayle's Emotional Revelation

In a podcast conversation with Shubhankar Mishra, Gayle expressed his disappointment with how he was treated by Punjab Kings. "My IPL ended prematurely with Punjab. I was disrespected at Kings XI," he said. He felt undervalued despite contributing significantly to the league and felt like he was treated like a child.

Gayle revealed that this treatment led him to feel depressed for the first time in his life. He even broke down while speaking to Anil Kumble due to the hurt caused by the franchise's management style. "I broke down talking to Anil Kumble because I was really hurt," Gayle admitted.

KL Rahul's Attempt to Reassure

The situation escalated when KL Rahul, then captain of Punjab Kings, reached out to Gayle over the phone. Rahul assured him of a spot in the playing XI for the next match. However, Gayle simply thanked him and decided to leave. "KL Rahul even called me saying, 'Chris, stay, you'll play the next game'. But I just said, 'I wish you all the best', and packed my bag," Gayle recounted.

Throughout his IPL career, Gayle has played for several franchises including Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite this, his connection with Punjab Kings is notable as he scored more runs against them than any other team in IPL history.

Gayle's total against Punjab Kings stands at 797 runs across 16 innings. This makes his feelings towards PBKS understandable given his performance record against them compared to other teams.

The revelations made by Chris Gayle highlight some of the challenges faced by players in professional sports leagues like IPL. His experiences serve as a reminder of how important it is for teams to value their players' contributions both on and off-field.