If you don't love Gayle when he fails, then you don't deserve him when he scores a ton: Sehwag

Kings XI Punjab next face Kolkata Knight Riders on 21st in the Eden Gardens and will look to continue their winning run.

But the numbers were against him and credit must be given to Sehwag for keeping faith on him. The 38 year old has a poor statistic in maintaining his form. This was evident as in the past two years when he only scored 427 runs averaging only about 22.

Gayle also marred his reputation as he was accused of not behaving properly with a lady journalist during an interview. This definitely had a great impact as no one picked him in the Australian Big Bash.

Gayle, for his part rose above all this and also did not forget to thank Sehwag for giving the opportunity. “A lot of people might say that Chris has a lot to prove [as he] didn’t get selected or didn’t get picked earlier in the auction. But I can say: Virender Sehwag, you saved IPL by picking me.”

Sehwag was equally impressed with the opening batsman and said, “This is a brilliant start. Man-of- the-match, back-to- back.”

But what Sehwag posted immediately to describe Gayle’s inning got everyone in splits and always made everyone speculate whether it was pun intended at the Royal Challengers Bangalore for not retaining Gayle.

His decision seems to be paying off, as the Caribbean scored an unbeaten 104 off 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His century certainly was the difference between both the teams as the kings defeated the Sunrisers by 15 runs.

Gayle was all praise for Sehwag and also went to say that the KXIP head coach had actually saved the IPL by picking him.

On buying Gayle Sehwag said “Simply having him (Gayle) in your side means a lot. Being an opening batsman, Gayle can prove to be a danger to any opposition.”

“Gayle’s brand value speaks for himself and how effective he is in this format. We decided to bring in Gayle as a back-up option for the opening slots.”

The West Indian has been in impressive form in the last two matches scoring a 22 ball half century and 104 off 63 in the first and second match respectively and certainly is proving his critics wrong.

Chris Gayle was unsold in two rounds of the IPL auction and it looked like he won’t be bought by anyone. It was the last minute decision of the Kings XI Punjab’s coach Virender Sehwag to buy Gayle.