'If Rashid Khan stares at me, I am going to finish him' - KL Rahul recalls what Chris Gayle told him in IPL 2018

Despite being at the fading end of his career, Chris Gayle is regarded as one of the most explosive batsmen, especially in the shortest format of the game. The left-handed opener has plied his trade in T20 leagues all across the globe and his sheer power and explosive batting prowess are considered second to none.

Gayle is someone who never holds back to wreak havoc on bowlers from the first delivery itself. One such incident happened when Gayle took guard in IPL 2018 in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The West Indian even told his batting partner KL Rahul that he would go hammer and tongs against Rashid Khan.

Speaking on an episode of Open Nets with Mayank, KL Rahul and Chris Gayle opened up on a plethora of topics including the incident involving Rashid Khan. Rahul recalled that Gayle delivered a stellar performance in that match, scoring 104 in just 63 balls including 11 sixes.

Chris Gayle was hungry and he wanted to win: KL Rahul

Rashid was on the radar of ‘The Universe Boss’ on that particular day. The Afghanistan stalwart was even belted for four consecutive sixes by Gayle in the 14th over of that game. Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) went on to clinch the match by 14 runs and Gayle emerged as the architect behind their triumph.

“I remember one instance in 2018, he (Chris Gayle) was hungry, he was angry, and he wanted to win. We had a match against the Sunrisers, and he told me, ‘If Rashid Khan comes on, I am gonna finish him because I don’t like a spinner coming and staring me down. If he stares at me, I am going to finish him’,” said KL Rahul.

“He (Gayle) said, ‘Give me the single, I want to play six balls against Rashid Khan’. And I think that’s the first time I saw Chris’ give-me-this attitude. He had a clear plan and I think he got a hundred that game,” he added.

Host Agarwal also asked what Gayle and Rahul talk in the middle while stitching a partnership. “You know what we talk in the middle? Rahul wants the strike, always. He says, ‘Don’t worry boss, I’ll take him on.’ He wants the strike, all the time,” said Gayle.