Former West Indies legendary batter Chris Gayle rolled back the years with his vintage display of powerful hitting in the WCL 2024 match between South Africa Champions and West Indies Champions at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday, July 7.
WI Champions registered their first victory of the tournament with a six-wicket win over SA Champions. With a target of 175, WI Champions chased it down with five balls to spare. Chris Gayle led the batting with a brilliant innings of 70 off 40 balls at a strike rate of 175. Apart from Gayle, Chadwick Walton also performed well as he played an unbeaten knock of 56 off 29 balls to help WI Champions chase down the target in the final over.
However, the vintage version of Chris Gayle stole the show as he displayed his powerful hitting, reminiscent of his prime. The 44-year-old took the SA Champions bowling attack to the cleaners as he smashed six towering sixes and 4 fours. His vintage performance once again showcased his incredible incredible to dominate the bowlers with ease.
Chris Gayle has been one of the most formidable batters of his time as he consistently dominated bowlers with his explosive batting style. The bowler would often feel dread while facing Chris Gayle, knowing that the slightest misstep could result in the ball being deposited into the crowd or launched out of a park for a six.
His brilliant match-winning 70-run knock against South Africa Champions is enough to prove that Chris Gayle is still his prime rather than being past his prime.
Chris Gayle first player to score century in all three formats
Former West Indies batter Chris Gayle holds the distinction of being the first player to score a century in all three formats of the game in international cricket. Gayle scored his first Test against Zimbabwe, his maiden ODI century against Kenya and first T20I century against South Africa.
Chris Gayle holds the record for most centuries scored by the West Indies batter in the history of ODI cricket (25). None of the West Indies batter has scored more than 20 centuries in ODIs. Gayle is currently the leading run-getter in T20 cricket, amassing 14562 runs, including 22 centuries and 88 fifties, at an average of 36.22 in 455 innings.
Chris Gayle is the only player to date to register more than 20 centuries or more in the history of T20 cricket.
Gayle played his last international match against Australia at the T20 World Cup in 2021. Though it has been three years since last played for West Indies, the legendary batter hasn't yet announced his retirement.
