Chris Gayle included in Windies squad for one off T20I against India

Veteran Windies batsman Chris Gayle has been recalled to the national side for the one off T20I against India. The match, scheduled to be played on July 9, will be played on Gayle’s home venue at Jamaica. Gayle was not a part of the Windies lineup that turned up for the 3 match T20I series against Afghanistan recently. Now, he has been roped in the squad as a replacement for Lendl Simmons.

Simmons had a dismal run in the T20I series against Afghanistan and had returned with scores of 6, 17*, and 15 to his name. Needless to say, the selectors have gone back to the experience of Chris Gayle for the big game against India. The chief selector of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Mr. Courtney Browne, noted that Gayle is the most prolific batsman in this format of the game. He believes that the addition of Gayle to the lineup will be a big boost to the team.

“We welcome Chris back to the T20 squad. He is the most prolific batsman in this format and will add value to our team at the top of the order. He will get the chance to play on his home ground and against a top-quality Indian team,” quoted Browne.

Talking about Chris Gayle and his recent form, the big Jamaican was seen playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League this year. Barring a couple of good knocks, he had a very lackluster tournament. However, his stature in the shortest format of the game remains unmatched. He is the leading run scorer in T20 cricket and has the most number of sixes to his name. He also has the most number of T20 tons to his name. Gayle last played for the Windies team in the ICC World T20 final against England in 2016.

Windies T20 squad:

Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton (wk), Kesrick Williams.