‘I will be in Australia, as a player or in the stands cheering for team’: Chris Gayle says West Indies might not pick him for 20-20 WC in Australia

West Indies legend Chris Gayle has said he is not sure if he will ever play for West Indies again. At 42, Gayle is at the fag end of his international career. He recently played for West Indies in the 20-20 World Cup after which it was speculated that the veteran will bid adieu to the game. He even raised his bat while walking back to the pavilion in West Indies’ last match of the tournament, hinting that he may announce retirement after the match. However, he later clarified that he was just having fun as there is plenty of cricket left in him.

Gayle is still a big crowd puller thus is high on demand in franchise cricket. However, his performances for West Indies have not been up to the mark. Given West Indies’ poor show in the recently concluded 20-20 World Cup, it’s unlikely West Indies selectors will back him for the next 20-20 World Cup in Australia.

Gayle though is keen on playing one more 20-20 World Cup. At the same time, he is aware that West Indies might not pick him for the showpiece event. “I will be in Australia one way or the other next year (during the T20 World Cup). I will be there because I haven’t been there in sometime. The World Cup will be in Australia so I would be there. You know, it might take some extra effort. Sit in the stands, have a cold one and says ‘Hi guys, I’m here. I ain’t leaving. So yeah, I am looking forward to it,” Gayle said in an interview to ESPN Cricinfo.

“It’s doubtful you will see me playing for West Indies again in international cricket. We have something planned against Ireland. I am just waiting for the board to finalise things. And once we get a date, we would find out what it is. It should be back home in Jamaica, Sabina Park. Final international run so I’m looking forward to it,” added Gayle.

There is no doubt that players like Gayle brought a revolution in cricket and Gayle never shies away from crediting himself for changing the dynamics of the sport. “I really and truly haven’t sat back and looked at what I have achieved, what I have done within the sport. But I am definitely a game-changer. I have changed the game of cricket, changed the way of how cricket is about having fun. I have changed so many things within the sport. Most of them wouldn’t come and say that ‘because of Gayle, we do this and that’. But yeah, I will leave myself with the credit, which I deserve. I am the game-changer. The Universe Boss,” he said.