I wish runs keep flowing from my bat: Chris Gayle

Royal Challengers Bangalore have had a mixed season so far but the great thing is that we have peaked at the right time, writes Chris Gayle in The Times Of India.

“The important thing in this format is to play well as a unit and that’s what we are doing. Our bowlers have been impressive in our last couple of wins and have done wonders. If we continue the same way I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be in the top four,” adds Gayle.

“Fortunately, I am continuing my good form and the crowd support has been great wherever I have played. They love to get entertained and much of this game is about the entertainment of the spectators. I am happy that I have been able to provide that. I wish runs keep flowing from my bat and ultimately it results in my team’s success,” writes Gayle.

Meanwhile Hindustan Times writes that Chris Gayle is savouring another wonderful IPL season after infusing some method to his perceived madness. “With 572 runs, most of them scored with some serious whipping of the bowlers, Gayle has been the most prized wicket although the Royal Challengers Bangalore are still some way from ensuring a play-off berth,” writes HT, adding that the holder of the orange cap as the leading run-getter, the Jamaican left-hander has perfected his new method of playing cautiously at the start before targeting the weak links in the opposition bowling set up.

“Against Mumbai Indians, he smashed left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha four three sixes in an over; against Pune, he treated bowlers like Krishnakant Upadhyay, South African pacer Alfonso Thomas and Bhuvneshwar Kumar with disdain but was guarded against Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews,” says the HT report.

According to a DNA report, less than a week back, when Mumbai Indians faced Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Wankhede Stadium, the hosts were blown away by a ‘Gayle storm’. Having faced the destructive Chris Gayle once this season, Mumbai are aware that dismissing the big man early is their only chance to take revenge.

“We realise that he is an important player and we will come up with our plans to combat that. We know if we get him out early, it will be a big blow for RCB,” said Mumbai coach Shaun Pollock.

Though Gayle is the centre of attraction, fans will hope to get a full game as the Met department has predicted thunderstorms for Monday. It may be recalled that Bangalore had witnessed a washout earlier this season.