Chris Gayle confesses he wants to play for West Indies till 2019 World Cup

Chris Gayle makes a comeback to the International arena and against India at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The ‘Universal Boss’ of world cricket would be at home, come this Sunday where Team India take on the hosts Windies. The 37-year-old southpaw has long waited to make a comeback to the national team and what better stage than to perform against India at home.

Gayle has confirmed that he wants to play two more years at the International level before calling it quits. India and West Indies will clash in a one-off T20 International on Sunday. The visitors swept past the home side 3-1 in the ODI series, with Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli scoring bulk of runs for the Men in Blue. Kohli’s side will now run into a more familiar Windies outfit which features Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Samuel Badree who are considered as the T20 specialist.

Teammates in IPL and opponents at Sabina Park

Gayle, Badree and Kohli were teammates at Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Narine turned out for the Kolkata Knight Riders where he played alongside Kuldeep Yadav. Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya were teammates for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. The familiarity and knowledge of their playing style will make the game interesting.

“It’s been a long time … due to circumstances (pay disputes) we have been not in the team. I am back and what’s special about it is that I am actually playing in front of my home crowd,” said Gayle. Several top cricketers are at war with the Windies board over wages. The left-hander was last seen playing for the national side in the World T20, 2016.

In no mood to retire from international cricket, Gayle said: “If it was left to me I would have walked away, but at the same time fans keep requesting ‘don’t do it’. Youngsters are the future but the team needs experience at this stage.”

The southpaw plies his trade and skills as a T20 specialist around the world. He wants to play at least two more World Cups for the team, with his raunchy lifestyle and carefree attitude.

“I am targeting another T20 World Cup and another 50-over World Cup for myself. I have to keep my fitness and can compromise and play the national tournaments …most want popular players back in the team,” he said.

“There is nothing wrong with the team. India were always favourites to beat West Indies. These West Indian guys are the future and will (learn) step by step till we leave,” concluded the left-handed Gayle.