Never Got Any Respect: Chris Gayle Reveals Bitter Experiences In T20 Leagues

An angry Chris Gayle opened up over the behaviour of franchise and fans in T20 leagues after a few failures

No T20 league across the world can be imagined without the presence of Universe Boss – Chris Gayle. The Windies opener has been the fireball performer with over 13000 runs and 22 hundreds in 400 20-over matches. Despite an excellent track record, the 40-year-old has also been dealing with a dark side of the tournaments which remains unknown to the outer world. On Monday, Gayle hit out at his critics, which (according to him) ranges from ‘players, management, head of management, board members’ of every franchise he has ever played for in the global T20 circuit. The veteran opener had most recently turned up for the Jozi Stars at the Mzansi Super League in South Africa. “I am not talking for this team only. This is something I have analysed over the years playing franchise cricket. Chris Gayle is always a burden if I don't score runs, two, three, four times. It seems like that one particular individual is the burden for the team. And then you will hear bickering. I am not going to get respect. People don't remember what you have done for them. I don't get respect,” Gayle was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. " Gayle said that the criticism was not reserved just for his current franchise, who are yet to win a match this season after winning the title last year. They still have four matches left in the league stage but Gayle won't be part of the campaign any more. “And I am not talking about this franchise. I am talking generally. Even from players as well, I am talking. Players, management, head of management, board members. Chris Gayle never get no respect. Once Chris Gayle fails, it's the end of his career, he is no good, he is the worst player and all these other things. I've generally overcome these things and I expect these things and I have lived with these things,” he said. In the ongoing South African T20 league, Gayle has managed to score only 101 runs in the six matches he played. Gayle had the only 50-plus score in the entire tournament.