Many cricket fans will argue about the West Indies’ decline as a cricketing force, but no one can deny that the country has enriched the T20 format over the years. Their presence infuses games with vitality, excitement, and a high level of entertainment. Christopher Henry Gayle is one such master and a class act. The moniker ‘Universe Boss’ perfectly describes the aura that the West Indian star exudes. His six-hitting abilities are impressive, as said by Kevin Pietersen in an interview with Betway, and they have helped him set numerous records, including becoming the first player to cross 10,000 T20 runs, the highest score ever in T20 cricket (175), and the most centuries in T20s (22).
Gayle added another feather to his cap three years ago: the most number of sixes in an innings. The fact that it happened in the Bangladesh Premier League final just adds to the importance of the case. We relive the awe-inspiring knock and the tale that went with it.
For the tall Jamaican, 2017 had not gone according to plan. Following a lackluster season in the IPL, he struggled in international cricket. Gayle had a point to prove, despite the fact that his age was obviously against him. The Bangladesh Premier League served as a springboard for his attack.
Gayle had a great season with the Mashrafe Mortaza-led Rangpur Riders, scoring runs quickly and aggressively.
The final, on the other hand, was expected to be a close race. The Dhaka Platoons, led by Shakib al Hasan, had performed admirably and were favorites to retain their title at Dhaka’s Shere Bangla Stadium. A ‘Gayle Storm’ blew away all hopes of a strong defense.
Rangpur, batting first, lost Johnson Charles to the cunning Shakib early on. Brendon McCullum, a veteran batsman, joined Gayle in the middle and the two began rebuilding the innings. The going was tough from the start, as the Dhaka spinners stifled the scoring pace. At the end of the powerplay, Gayle switched gears, launching Mosaddek Hossain for a hat-trick of sixes.
The sixth over saw a huge moment when skipper Shakib snatched a catch at covers, giving Gayle a reprieve. Gayle went into overdrive in the next few overs as a result of the mistake. Sixes flew off his blade, and no other bowler was treated with respect but Sunil Narine.
Dhaka’s bowlers struggled with line and length, and the Jamaican southpaw pounced with ferocity on their bowling. Shahid Afridi, Kieron Pollard, and Shakib Al Hasan were among the former and current international captains who were shattered to all parts of the ground. Gayle marched to a remarkable twentieth century. An undefeated 69-ball 146 was peppered with as many as 18 sixes, establishing a stunning record that will be difficult to break.
Rangpur then thrashed Dhaka by 57 runs to win the BPL for the first time. ‘We won the trophy only because of Chris Gayle,’ Mashrafe Mortaza admitted later in the presentation. As the redoubtable king of T20s cherished another record, Gayle basked in the glory as well.
Video found on Betway’s blog.
When Chris Gayle Became the First to Hit 1,000 Sixes in T20
Chris Gayle smashed the seventh of his eight sixes during his belligerent 99 against Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League match in October 2020, becoming the first batsman in T20 cricket history to cross 1,000 sixes.
“Oh 1,000 sixes! I do not know the record [of 1,000 sixes]. Still have to be hitting it well at the age of 41. Got to give thanks for that,” exclaimed Gayle when he learnt of his new milestone.
Gayle, 41, is well ahead of his closest rival, Kieron Pollard of the Mumbai Indians, who has struck 690 sixes in T20 cricket and is 311 runs behind Gayle’s 1,001.
The left-handed batsman, who was benched for the first half of the tournament, has started every game since then.
Gayle smashed eight sixes and six fours, accounting for 72 of his 99 runs. He took a cheeky couple of runs in the remaining 27 runs he ran between the wickets.
When Jofra Archer bowled him for 99 in the last over, the Jamaican was disappointed and threw his bat away in frustration. He quickly recovered his composure and went on to shake hands with Archer, who was also born in the West Indies but now represents England.
“Getting out on 99 is unfortunate. These things will happen but it was a good ball; still feeling good. To be honest, it is all about the mental aspect of my game and that is what keeps me going. I am enjoying the cricket the same way. I would love to have the IPL trophy under my belt,” Gayle said after his innings.
“The hard work and the dedication over the years have paid off. To the guys, who I promised to get a century, I missed out today but in my mind, it is a century.”