England vs India: Chris Gayle feels Kohli’s ton will boost India’s batting line-up

The two often put the bowlers to the sword together in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the past. In the 2018 edition, the deadly duo was not seen engaging in their destructive acts together but Chris Gayle hasn’t lost adulation for his former IPL skipper Virat Kohli. After the latter hit his first Test hundred against England in Birmingham on Thursday Gayle said that it provided to be just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Indian batting line-up.

Kohli stood tall to score 149 off 225 balls even as wickets kept tumbling around him and took India close to England’s first innings total of 287. Earlier, the Indians were reduced to 8 for 182 despite their openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan giving them a good opening stand of 50. The tail wagged with Kohli who was the last man out after completing his 22nd Test and 57th international hundred.

It was a captain’s knock

“I was busy with a shoot in Mumbai yesterday and only watched the highlights. It was a captain’s knock from Virat. The best part was how he batted with the tail. That is the perfect start you want in a series,” Gayle told reporters during an interaction at a promotional event on poker, the New Indian Express cited.

“A knock like this, especially from the captain and lot have been said about his form in England and hopefully this knock will spur him and the team during the series,” the dashing Jamaican said.

The 38-year-old replied in his typical humorous tone when asked whether India could win the current Test series against England, saying: “Why not? Aren’t they humans?”

He also said that he didn’t see the 80 scored by England captain Joe Root and that he only saw the “run-out and the mic drop”. Kohli run his English counterpart out with a direct throw and then reminded all about Root’s mic drop gesture after winning the ODI series 2-1.

The Jamaican, who recently slammed a 66-ball 73 against Bangladesh and hit five sixes during the innings, said he is confident of making it to the 2019 World Cup in a fit shape. He said he would have to talk with the coaches and selectors and know about their plans.

Gayle has clarified that his plan is to play till the 2020 World T20 in Australia. He will be 41 then.

Also when asked whether the absence of AB de Villiers in the next World Cup could reduce its appeal, Gayle said in his way: “Chris Gayle will be there. What are you worried for.”

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