It's a pleasure opening the batting with Kohli: Chris Gayle

No player in the cricketing history has scored 10,000 runs in the shortest form of cricket. If there was ever one player who could achieve this feat, it truly and surely is the Jamaican opening batsman Chris Gayle. The ‘Universal Boss’ Chris Gayle has bossed the T20 format while breaching the 10k figure against the Gujarat Lions in the 20th match of IPL10.

Ahmedabad, which is only 200kms away from Rajkot was the first venue to witness the historic mark of 10,000 runs when Sunil Gavaskar achieved the feat against arch-rivals Pakistan in 1987. Since then it has been an achievement that has been earmarked, and this shortest form of cricket would not have been envisaged back then. It was later the turn of the ‘Master-Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the feat in the One Day International format.

A staggering fact that goes without saying is Chris Gayle has scored 7534 runs with the help of 743 sixes and 769 boundaries, a feat that no players has ever managed to achieve and also a feat that players would struggle to achieve in the future. The night against Gujarat Lions was no different as the opener lit up the tournament with seven sixes and five fours, as he scored 77 runs off just 38 balls. The openers added 122 runs for the first wicket, becoming the first pair to share a ten century-run stands in T20’s.

The duo united for a special interview for iplt20.com to put their achievements on board:

Virat Kohli cheekily started the conversation by asking how it feels for the big Jamaican to open the innings alongside him to which Gayle obliged politely. Gayle’s reply was a natural one, he said that it was an absolute pleasure to opening alongside a gem of a player such as Virat Kohli and telling him that he has a good future in his hand. The chemistry between the two was clearly evident in the very first question of the day.

It’s a great feeling to open the innings with you. It’s an absolute pleasure mate. You’re a legend and you have many more runs to score. It’s a privilege to actually watch you from the other end and to see you score fluently. Well done on your career so far and I wish you many many more from my heart. Seriously.

Incidentally, it was also the pair’s 10th 100-run partnership in T20s’ which in itself is a record. The tall Jamaican got his 10,000 runs in the shortest format at an average of 40 and a strike-rate of 149 with 18 hundred under his belt. Like seriously, it is a jaw-dropping record for an opening batsman in the shortest format of cricket.

Kohli, further politely asked him about the title of ‘Universal Boss’ and the consistency of the title for so many years. Gayle congratulated the Indian captain and the partnerships’ that they have had in the past. The West Indian further appreciated the franchise for their incredible support and the passionate crowd that helped his form bloom throughout the IPL. He ended with the statement commending the dressing room atmosphere and the talented youngsters who have been a part of his fabulous journey in the league.

It’s fantastic to get to 10000 runs and share that moment with you. We have had a lot of partnerships and it is really great. Also, to be able to play for a great franchise like the RCB is superb. Since I joined this franchise, things have gone great for me as well from a personal point of view, so I am very thankful for that. You guys have been special and it is special to share the dressing room with you. We have a lot of talent, many youngsters and it is good fun. It has been an absolute pleasure.

It is left to seen what the franchise will do with his jersey post the lanky-openers’ retirement. However, at this rate, it is but almost certain that the left-hander will continue to play in the IPL for the next three or four seasons. Chris Gayle has done the right amount of justice to the title ‘Universal Boss’. Once Gangnam style, now Salt bae the opener has given us plenty of reasons to cherish, and it would be saddening to see the opener retire.