World Cup 2019: ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle gets full decked up for India-Pakistan clash

For Chris Gayle, cricket is all about enjoyment. The ‘Universe Boss’, who is set to complete 20 years in international cricket this year, will quit ODIs after the World Cup. His own team, the West Indies, are yet to put up their best show in the competition but the 39-year-old Gayle is not too concerned. For the moment, he is gearing up for the India-Pakistan mega clash in the tournament in Manchester on Sunday.

Gayle, who has scored one fifty in three innings that he has batted in this World Cup, is yet to show his best. Going by his superhuman form in the series against England earlier this year, it was hoped that the man will be making one last major impact in the World Cup. However, that hasn’t quite happened so far even though Gayle bettered his legendary compatriot Viv Richards’ record of scoring the most number of ODI runs against England for the Caribbeans.

On Saturday, Gayle was seen in another avatar. The popular Carribean who is never seen less than an entertainer sported a special white suit bearing the colours of both India and Pakistan (tri-colour to the right and green to the left) signifying his enthusiasm about the derby on Sunday. A massive hype has been generated around the game in the World Cup which has otherwise marred by consistent downpours since the second week.

Gayle will play Bangladesh in a key game on Monday

Gayle will, however, remain a key man for the Windies the very next day after India meet Pakistan. On Monday, the Caribbeans will be playing Bangladesh in their fifth league match in Taunton and it is a big game for both teams. The West Indies haven’t won a game since they thumped Pakistan in their first match on May 31. They came close to beating Australia but lost by 15 runs while England were too better for them in the last game on Friday which Jason Holder’s side lost by 8 wickets.

Coming back to the India-Pakistan game, it will be the seventh time the two arch-rivals will be meeting in the World Cup. India have won all the six encounters in the past although Pakistan won the last time they met in England in 2017, in the final of the Champions Trophy.