The Indian Premier League may have changed the fortunes of Indian cricket forever, but there are skeletons in its cupboard that keep tumbling out every now and then.
The latest is the recent shocking revelation by Chris Gayle, one of the tournament’s biggest stars. In a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, the West Indian batter revealed how he walked out of the Kings XI Punjab (now, Punjab Kings) after being “disrespected”.
Gayle played for the Punjab franchise from 2018 to 2021, scoring a total of 1,339 runs in 41 matches at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 143, primarily as an opener. He notched up a century and 11 half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 104.
Citing “bubble fatigue”, Gayle left the franchise midseason during 2021. The IPL was then being played behind closed doors and players were confined to bio-bubbles within their hotels due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“I was disrespected at Kings XI (Punjab). I felt I wasn't treated properly as a senior who had done so much for the league and brought value,” Gayle said. “They treated me like a kid. For the first time in my life, I felt like getting into depression.
“I broke down talking to (then coach) Anil Kumble because I was really hurt. I was disappointed with him and the way the franchise was run,” he added.
Being in a bio-bubble did not help, as Gayle felt his mental space “just going”. He finally decided that mental health was more important than money, and walked out of the tournament after the match against Mumbai Indians.
He finished his IPL career with 4,965 runs in 142 matches at a strike rate of 148.96, including the tournament’s highest-ever individual score of 175.
“KL Rahul was the captain, he called me and said, ‘Yo Chris, you know, we want you to stay, you will play the next game’. And I said listen to me man, I wish you guys all the very best. I just packed my bag and I walked out," Gayle added.
He played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, too.