The self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ was in his usual elements during the post-match interview after the third T20I. The 41-year-old opener Chris Gayle said the ICC disallowed him from using the tag ‘Universe Boss’ on his bat. Gayle, who is known to be quite a character on and off the field, wasn’t particularly impressed but took the decision lightly.
The third T20I saw the return of Chris Gayle’s pyrotechnics. After being set a modest target of 142, Gayle came in at No.3 and played a blistering knock. He scored 67 off 38 deliveries, laced with as many as seven maximums. On a track where the Aussies struggled, Gayle was mesmerizing.
The knock was not played in his typical style, however. Gayle, who usually takes a few balls to settle in, went after the bowling from the get-go. He took a liking to Josh Hazlewood, smashing the pacer for 6,4,4,4 in the second over. He lost his partners at the other end, but he remained unperturbed. In the ninth over, Gayle launched Adam Zampa for a six to bring up 14,000 runs in his T20 career. He truly established himself as the greatest player in the T20 format.
“ICC don’t want me to use the Universe Boss” – Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle's got some fresh stickers after a short conversation with the ICC! 😅 #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/99nxhrBrGP
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) July 13, 2021
In the post-match interview, Gayle was chuffed to bits following his match-winning knock. He has generally been a fun-loving guy and the interaction confirmed the same. When asked about the stickers on his bat, Gayle jokingly replied:
“It’s just ‘The Boss’. It’s [supposed] to be the ‘Universe Boss’ but ICC don’t want me to use the ‘Universe Boss’ so I’ve shortened it and just put ‘The Boss’. I am the boss. I have to copyright it. Not ICC, I am technically the boss.”
The interviewer went on to ask Chris Gayle about Riley Meredith and his searing pace. Since Gayle is 41-years-old, reflexes would have naturally slowed down but Gayle said he feels at ease because of the bucket-load of experience he has.
“I try to use my experience a bit there and know the sort of ball he’s going to bowl. I’ve seen the [other] bowlers already so I try to be one step ahead. They’re quality bowlers and Riley has a lot of extra pace. He bowled well tonight even though I got him for a few. He eventually got me out as he bowled with some good gas,” Gayle said.
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