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Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle has revealed a massive revelation about his troubled time with Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Overall, Gayle played 141 matches for three franchises in IPL from 2009 to 2021. His last stint came for the Punjab Kings in 2021, a franchise for which he has played for four years, mainly as an opening batter.
Speaking during a recent podcast, Gayle shed light on his IPL career and revealed the difficult time of his career in India’s premier T20 competition.
“My IPL ended prematurely with Punjab. To be honest, I was disrespected at Kings XI Punjab. I felt I wasn’t treated properly as a senior player who had done so much for the league and brought value to the franchise, he said.
“Instead, they treated me like a kid. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was slipping into depression,” Gayle recalled.
The 45-year-old emphasized mental well-being and recalled the instance of calling Anil Kumble, who was head coach of the franchise.
“Your mental health is more important than money. I called Anil (Kumble) and told him I was leaving. At the same time, we were stuck in a bubble, which was destroying me mentally,” Gayle explained.
He also stated that he was not amused with the way the team was managed, noting that he burst into tears while talking to Kumble.
“I broke down talking to Anil, and I cried because I was really hurt. I was disappointed with him and the way the franchise was run. KL Rahul, the captain, even called me saying, ‘Chris, stay, you’ll play the next game.’ But I just said, ‘I wish you all the best,’ packed my bag, and I walked out.”
“I was mistreated. I am available—if they want me, I’ll come. But yes, I do have grudges. Loyalty means a lot to me,” Gayle concluded.
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