IPL 2021: I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself – Chris Gayle pulls out of remaining matches

Punjab Kings veteran batter Chris Gayle has decided to pull out of the rest of the IPL 2021 season due to bio bubble fatigue. Gayle has been part of multiple bio bubbles in the recent past and wanted to mentally recharge and refresh himself before the T20 World Cup.

Gayle wants to focus on the T20I showpiece and guide his national team to another World Cup title. The experienced left-hander also gave his gratitude to the franchise for understanding his situation and supporting him.

In a statement released, Punjab Kings said, “Chris Gayle will be leaving the IPL bio-bubble due to bubble fatigue. Having been a part of the CPL bubble and then the IPL bubble he expressed a desire to mentally refresh himself in Dubai before representing the West Indies in the T20 World Cup.”

Chris Gayle said, “Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself. I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai.

‘My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the upcoming games.”

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle hasn’t been in the best of forms in the recent past and he will need to turn the tables for the T20 World Cup. Gayle was surprisingly also not asked to open the innings for PBKS as captain KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal took the onus on their shoulders. But the Universe Boss was not as effective while batting at number three and four. The southpaw could only manage 193 runs in 10 matches at a mundane average of 21.44.

On the other hand, Gayle had joined the PBKS camp after winning CPL 2021 with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The left-hander could only manage 15 runs in two innings in the second phase of IPL 2021.

PBKS have won four out of the 11 matches they have played in the ongoing season and they will face KKR on Friday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.