Kings Xi Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia has backed Chris Gayle to play all games in IPL 2021 after a scintillating season with them in 2020. The 40-year old scored 288 runs from just seven games this season after staying out of favor in the first seven games. The Universe Boss proved to be a timely inclusion in the side for Punjab, as he was a large part of their turnaround in the second half of the season. He scored three fifties in seven games and struck at nearly 140 in the season.
Meanwhile former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra said that KXIP should not retain Chris Gayle next season as he is catching up with age. By the next IPL, Gayle would be 41 and Chopra said that the franchise should think about their future with the Universe Boss.
Also Read: Chris Gayle Should Not Be Retained By KXIP, Says Aakash Chopra
“They will have to think about Chris Gayle, if they can think about him for the next IPL or the IPL after that. Because if it is a mega-auction, which is a possibility, then you will have to start thinking ahead that who will stay with you for the next three years.” Aakash Chopra said.
Meanwhile, talking to PTI, Wadia said that its is important to back experienced players which is why Gayle should be given a full season next year.
“The team management did what it thought was best for the team. It is important to back experienced players and Gayle has demonstrated that he should play every game next season,” Wadia told PTI.
Wadia Backs Chris Gayle To Play All Games Next Season
Kings XI Punjab won five games from the seven that Chris Gayle was a part of. They needed to win their last game against KXIP to make it through to the last four which they couldn’t.
Wadia further spoke on the Kumble-Rahul combination for the next season. He said that they see a long term investment in Rahu which is they have stuck with him for next season as well.
“We have charted a three-year strategy with Anil. We revamped this season and finished sixth and lost (the play-off spot) only by one game.KL has been with us for three years and there was a reason why we went after him so aggressively. He has proved us right” said Wadia.
Wadia concluded by saying that having found the core of the side they would look to plug the loopholes in the next IPL auction ahead of the stat of the season.
“It is a new captain, new team with a lot of fresh faces, sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn’t. The auction is coming up soon and we would be looking to plug the gaps in the middle-order and our bowling,” said the KXIP co-owner.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra Urges KXIP To Leave 2 Players Ahead of IPL 2021