I think I'm similar to how Chris Gayle bats: Evin Lewis

Evin Lewis has gained recognition for his electrifying innings at the top of the order. His batting prowess has been at such a level that he recently even reduced a power hitter like Chris Gayle to a supporting act. During the CPL, Evin Lewis smashed a spectacular 97 runs not from just 32 balls while Gayle was at the other end, rotating the strike.

He had a lot to say on this, his magnificent centuries against India, his relationship with the Universe Boss, his game plans, his idol, the great Brian Lara, his future ambitions, on playing Test cricket and more. Talking about his knock, he said that I was striking the ball well and Gayle was happy to let me go for the kill.

“Yeah, yeah he told me the same thing. As I was striking the ball cleanly, he tried his best to give me the strike as much as possible. That’s something I feel really thankful for. Normally when a guy sees you going after the bowling he’ll try and go after the bowling too, but it was different with Chris,” Lewis was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

This wasn’t the first time the left-hander managed to outshine Gayle. A couple of months ago in the T20 international against India, Lewis heaved 125 off 62 balls, with 12 maximums, an innings that has been career-defining for him so far.

Chris is out you’re in

That was his second century against India. The first came up in Florida where he was brought in for Chris Gayle into the playing XI. Lewis described the events, “The coach came up to me that morning and said ‘Chris is out, you’re in’,” he recalls. “I was so nervous but I said ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ So I just went out, was positive and got a good start. I felt free and started to hit the ball very cleanly.”

He shares a few similarities with the big man. “Everybody keeps calling me the young Chris Gayle,” he chuckles. “I think I’m similar to how he bats. We work on a regular basis – almost every time together in the nets. He keeps talking to me, telling me to keep being myself, keep being positive, and keep doing my thing. In the wicket it’s the same – he always tells me to keep my shape when I go after the bowling. He’s a guy who’s really helped me in my cricket so far.”

Both left-handers have managed to create equal atrocities at the top of the order and destroyed the opposition bowlers for choices. The young Lewis idolised two cricketers: Windies legend Brian Lara and Gayle. “Growing up, you don’t really have most of the technique, and most of the knowledge about cricket. Once you see the ball you just swing as hard as possible to see how far you can hit the ball. It just happens.” It was optimal grounding for the T20 age. “I have a special talent in me to hit sixes, so I just keep working on it every time I go out to bat, try and work on my strengths and also my weaknesses.”