Kevin Pietersen and Sunil Gavaskar show resentment on PBKS' attitude towards Chris Gayle

Ahead of Punjab Kings’ clash against Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai on Friday, October 1, Chris Gayle decided to leave the team’s biosecure bubble in order to get some freshness before the T20 World Cup 2021. The main reason which has been cited is the bio bubble fatigue, which many players have agreed to have been subjected to due to extended periods of time inside the bubble. 

Punjab Kings released a statement in which they mentioned that the legendary southpaw wants to get mentally recharged before he represents West Indies in the mega event in the UAE. However, former cricketers and now commentators, Kevin Pietersen and Sunil Gavaskar feel that there might be other factors behind this decision. 

The two experts had previously also felt it was not right for the Punjab Kings franchise to leave out Gayle from the team’s XI on his 42nd birthday. The West Indian didn’t play the first match, but then returned to the playing XI for the next two matches with minimum returns. He made 14 and 1 in the two matches, before deciding to not continue this season. 

If he is not happy, he is 42, let him do what he wants: Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen, who has had close friendship with Gayle, said that the West Indian is not getting treated well in the Punjab Kings camp. “He is not being treated right in his environment. He feels like they are using him and getting rid of him, using him and getting rid of him. They didn’t play him on his birthday, cast him aside. If he is not happy, he is 42, let him do what he wants,” Pietersen said on Star Sports ahead of Punjab’s match against Kolkata. 

Gavaskar further expressed that Gayle should’ve been backed by Punjab despite his up and down form. “A game-changer like Chris Gayle, if he is not in the team, 100 percent it’s a big loss. I think he is in and out of the team. I don’t know what the calculations are. And sure, he is over 40 and he might not be able to do it at a consistent level that he used to do. But he is a game-changer. 3 overs of Gayle storm and the game is gone from the opposition,” Gavaskar added.