Chris Gayle out of IPL 2021

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has ruled himself out of IPL 2021 citing bubble fatigue as his reason. This move comes keeping in mind the upcoming edition of T20 World Cup in few weeks time and the need to be mentally fresh for the marquee event.

“Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself. I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai,” Gayle was quoted as saying in a Punjab Kings release.

“My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the games coming up,”

The Punjab Kings batsman has registered scores of 14 & 1 in the phase 2 of IPL. Gayle started playing for the Punjab franchise in 2018. He represented the franchise in 41 T20s and scored 1339 runs at an average of 36.18.

IPL record

Chris Gayle holds a prolific IPL career scoring 4965 runs at an average  of 39.72 powered by a strike rate of 148.96. He struck 6 centuries and 31 half centuries and also holds the record for the most sixes with 357 maximums to his name.

PBKS head of operations Anil Kumble respected the 42-year-old West Indian’s decision in a statement released.

“I’ve played against Chris and have coached him at Punjab Kings and all through the years I’ve known him he has always been an absolute professional and we as a team respect his decision and desire to prepare himself for the T20 World Cup,” Anil Kumble, Director of Cricket Operations, said.

Gayle will remain in Dubai before joining up with his West Indies teammates as they prepare their title defence at the T20 World Cup.