India vs Windies: Chris Gayle declines India ODI selection

After the conclusion of the two-match Test series, India and Windies are scheduled to lock horns in a five-match ODI series, starting October 21 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Even prior to the start of the series, there has already been a controversy surrounding the shifting of the second encounter’s venue from Indore to Visakhapatnam.

The Windies don’t have much experience in their setup in the Test series.  Therefore, ahead of the white-ball fixtures, the management would’ve wished for their more experienced men to join the team. In the meantime, it has been learned that Chris Gayle, the Jamaica-born cricketer, has declined the selection for the ODI series as per reports in Sportstar.

T20 league before national team

The 39-year-old campaigner has chosen the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) ahead of the limited-overs series against the Men in Blue. The left-handed batsman will now ply his trade for the Mohammad Nabi-captained Balkh Legends, who are listed to play their first match against Kabul Zwanan on Saturday at Sharjah Cricket Association Cricket Stadium.

The sources have also mentioned that Gayle’s selection in the Cricket World Cup in England and Wales next year isn’t guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination. However, Gayle has said to have made himself available for the Windies’ series against England and the World Cup. Gayle recently captained St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Earlier, the Windies cricket board issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Gayle from October 7 to 21 in order for him to play the APL. In the meantime, Gayle took to Twitter and expressed his delight of playing in the APL, which gets underway today.

He wrote, “I am coming to Sharjah to light up the Afghanistan Premier League. Come and join me and support my team #Balkh. All the best to @aplt20official for the newest T20 league in Cricket!”

Here is the tweet

I am coming to Sharjah to light up the Afghanistan Premier League. Come and join me and support my team #Balkh.

All the best to @aplt20official for the newest T20 league in Cricket!#StartsToday

— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) October 5, 2018

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