Star West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has pulled his name out of the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) citing personal reasons. The news comes one day before the draft scheduled to take place on June 24 (Wednesday).
Meanwhile, as per reports in ESPNCricinfo, Chris Gayle has communicated his decision to St Lucia Zouks on Monday. He has cited some personal reasons for withdrawing his name from the competition. The Zouks signed up Gayle as one of the marquee players outside the draft in the US $130,000 – 160,000 price bracket. In his absence, the franchise is likely to get the first pick at the draft now.
Chris Gayle opts out of CPL 2020
Gayle had joined the Zouks earlier this season after Jamaica Tallawahs decided not to retain him for this season. The Tallawahs decided to let go of the Universe Boss owing to his poor form with the bat. Chris Gayle ended the season with just 243 runs in 10 innings including a century.
The highest run-scorer in the history of T20 cricket played for Jamaica Tallawahs in the first four CPL seasons, before spending the next two years with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. He re-joined the Tallawahs last season of CPL but failed to carry the momentum throughout the tournament.
The tournament this year is scheduled to take place in Trinidad & Tobago from August 18 until September 10 subject to permission from the local government.
Meanwhile, Chris Gayle was recently in the headlines for his verbal volley against Jamaica Tallawahs. He targetted his former franchise and their coach Ramnaresh Sarwan. Things turned sour between Sarwan and Gayle as the latter went on to the extent of calling him a snake.
Asked for a comment, a CPL spokesperson said that the organisers understood Gayle’s decision. Speaking to ESPNCricifo, he said that they wish to have Chris Gayle back in the next season.
“We understand that Chris has decided to not take part in CPL personal reasons. We wish Chris all the best for the rest of 2020 and hope to see him back at CPL in 2021.”