T10 League 2018: Chris Gayle reveals why playing for Kerala Knights is special for him

Swashbuckling Windies batsman Chris Gayle is set to play for Kerala Knights in the second edition of the T10 League beginning in Sharjah, UAE on November 21. The 39-year-old cricketer, who recently appeared in South Africa’s domestic T20 tournament Mzansi Super League and became the first player to participate in 10 different T20 leagues, is also carrying a humanitarian thought when it comes to the T10 League.

Gayle, who was the first pick in this season’s draft and was chosen by the Knights (earlier known as the Kerala Kings), the defending champions of the league, wants to win the title for his side once again for the joy of those who were hit by the devastating floods in Kerala recently. The Knights will take on Shahid Afridi-led Pakhtoons in the second match of the tournament on Wednesday.

Gayle remembers the flood-hit people of Kerala

Gayle, who has been a top former in T20 cricket, spoke with Gulf News in an exclusive interview recently in which he expressed his pleasure over playing for Kerala.

“I want to help Kerala Knights win the T10 title to bring joy to those affected by the floods in Kerala. This T10 format is entertainment as well and I am sure that if the people who get a chance to tune into television and watch Kerala Knights give a swashbuckling performance, I am sure then each and everyone will get entertained. There are many entertainers in the team and everyone should be looking forward to the event just like I am,” he said.

The Knights are clubbed with Sindhis and Rajputs besides the Pakthoons this season and are led by Eoin Morgan. Last year, the Knights (Kings) lost only one game in the tournament and defeated Punjabi Legends, to whom they lost in the group stage, in the final. This time, too, Morgan is leading the side which has the likes of Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir, Sandeep Lamichhane and others. The only Indian in the Knights squad is Reetinder Singh Sodhi.

Gayle also did not hide his surprise over the name of the side from Kings to Knights for he cherished the aura of himself being called a King though he remained content that he was still “part of Kerala”. “The change of name to Kerala Knights and at a time when the King [Gayle] has just arrived surprised me but it is good to be a part of Kerala. I looking forward to especially to play for the defending champions.”

The Caribbean is a top name in the Indian domestic T20 tournament Indian Premier League. Recently, he was released from the Royal Challengers Bangalore who he served for a long time but that age was still not a deterrent for him was proved when he slammed a hundred for his new side Kings XI Punjab in the last season.

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