Cricket World Cup 2023: Chris Gayle Predicts Semi-final Clashes, Says 'India Will Have Advantage' | Exclusive

Chris Gayle has played for West Indies in five World Cups spanning from 2003 to 2019. He picked up a total of 1186 runs in 35 matches, ranking ninth among the most prolific run-scorers in the tournament and second among West Indians, just behind Brian Lara’s record of 1225 runs. In the 2019 edition, Gayle scored 242 runs in eight innings with two half-centuries at a strike rate of 88.32.

During an exclusive chat with News18, Chris, who retired from ODIs after the 2019 Cricket World Cup, said that he will always want to play a mentorship role in cricket, a game that has brought him so much. “Cricket has been really good to me. It has brought me so much.”

West Indies missed out on qualifying for the ICC World Cup 2023 due to consecutive losses against Zimbabwe, Netherlands, and Scotland. This marks the first time in their cricket history that the Caribbean team won’t be participating in a World Cup. Speaking of it, he said that while he is disappointed that West Indies couldn’t make it, he is looking forward to a great game. “I am saddened by the fact that my beloved West Indies team did not qualify for the very first time. I expect this to be an exciting an intriguing World Cup. I think all teams will bring their A game. I believe India, Pakistan, Australia and England will reach the final four and India will have an advantage as the host country,” he said.

It was in 2019 that Chris Gayle said he won’t be playing any more World Cups. “It’s a brilliant privilege and honour to represent West Indies in five World Cups (2003 to 2019),” he had told hosts Brett Lee and Dean Jones. “Disappointed to end the World Cup without making it to the final four, but at the same time, I’m grateful to actually be here. A lot has happened behind the scenes, (and) to actually be here is fantastic. To finish off with a win is fantastic for me,” he had added.

Chris continued to play franchise cricket for two more years after 2019. In his IPL career, he has smashed 405 fours and 357 sixes. His final IPL match took place in September 2021 against Mumbai at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.