WC 2019: Chris Gayle to retire after series against India

'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle confirmed that he will retire from international cricket after home Test series against India in August-September

'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle, today, confirmed that he will retire from international cricket after home Test series against India in August-September. The dashing Windies batsman, who reversed his decision to retire had announced on February 17 that he would retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup 2019. While speaking to the media ahead of WC match against India on Thursday, the left-hander said he has had a change of mind. "It's still not the end. I still have a few games to go. May be another series to go, as well. Who knows, we will see what happens. My plans after World Cup? I may play a Test match against India and then I will definitely play the ODIs against India. I won't play the T20s. That's my plan after the World Cup," Gayle said. West Indies media manager Philip Spooner later confirmed that the assignment against India will be Gayle's last in national colours. "Yes, Chris will play his last series against India," Spooner told PTI. India's tour of West Indies comprises three T20 Internationals, three ODIs followed by a couple of Test matches. The T20Is will open the tour from August 3, the ODIs are lined up from August 8 and the Tests will take place from August 22 to September 3. Gayle, who is the first batsman to hit 500 sixes in international cricket, calls himself the 'Universe Boss' and is a fan favourite for his flamboyant stroke-play. The veteran had earlier hinted about his plans of reconsidering his decision to retire after WC 2019 after hitting a purple patch against England. "I've been playing a lot of T20 cricket, so it's always going to be a difficult coming back into 50 over cricket. But eventually the body gets accustomed to the 50-over format," Gayle was quoted as saying by icc-cricket.com. "I just have to work on the body, and then maybe you can see a bit more Chris Gayle. Things change quickly. Hopefully, the body can change in the next couple of months and we can see what happens. What's the matter with the body? I'm nearly 40. But could I un-retire? We'll see. We'll take it slowly." Gayle has appeared in 103 Tests, accumulating 7215 runs at an average of 42.19. In 294 ODI appearances, Gayle put together 10345 runs, while in 58 T20 Internationals, he has 1627 runs.