T20 World Cup 2021: 42-year-old Chris Gayle raises bat after getting out, hints at international retirement

Australia and West Indies locked horns on Saturday (November 6) afternoon in their final Super 12 game of the T20 World Cup. This is a dead-rubber game for the Caribbean side having knocked out from the tournament with three losses from four games. This also could turn out to be the end of the era for top T20 cricketers of West Indies at the international level and Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss, has hinted at it already.

He opened the innings against Australia and showed the glimpse of his old self for a brief period smashing two big sixes. But Pat Cummins dismissed him for just 15 runs and the way Gayle returned to the dressing room celebrating, it clearly hinted at his international retirement.

The 42-year-old raised his bat to the crowd present at Sheikh Zayed Stadium and also had his teammates waiting for him just outside the boundary line. Everyone congratulated and hugged him for his immense contribution to the sport.

Having said that, there could be a twist in the tale. Even last time, Chris Gayle had left the field after an ODI against India raising his bat but later made a U-turn on his retirement stating that he might play till he is 45 years old. It remains to be seen if the man himself confirms hanging his boots from the international arena after the game.

Here’s the video:

Chris Gayle! ❤️#WIvsAUS pic.twitter.com/ZpHN3YkZrm

— 'Z (@_NyrraZo) November 6, 2021

Chris Gayle – The Legend

Chris Gayle is certainly a legendary cricketer and when it comes to the T20 format, he is the undisputed king. He scored 1899 in 79 T20Is for West Indies at a strike-rate of 137.51. He might continue playing in the T20 leagues given the kind of cricketer he is but might have played his last game for the West Indies.

He was expected to light up the UAE during the T20 World Cup but the left-hander just couldn’t get going with the bat in the tournament. However, that doesn’t take anything away from a wonderful cricketer he is and what he did across all three formats in international cricket.