Gayle unretires

Rohit Mahajan

Tribune News Service

Manchester, June 26

Five endangered rhinos from Rwanda have been getting hugged in England over the past several months to stop them getting stressed.

In other news, an endangered Universe Boss today announced his unretirement from ODI cricket, adding that he might well return to Test cricket, for the first time in five years.

Yes, we’re referring to Chris Henry Gayle, the self-proclaimed Universe Boss whose bossing has suffered a serious setback with decline in his big-hitting prowess. He did make 87 in the previous game, against New Zealand, but it was rather slow by the latest standards, coming off 84 balls. The 39-year-old had announced in February that after the World Cup, he’d retire from ODI cricket.

But he’s changed his mind. “I’ll definitely play the ODIs against India (in August). I won’t play the T20s,” Gayle said here today. “My plans are for the World Cup. Maybe a Test match against India.” Gayle last played a Test way back in September 2014. He also skipped ODI cricket for two years before making a return to the West Indies side in 2017.

Gayle isn’t the modest type. Invited today to assess his own career, he said: “I’m definitely up there. I’m definitely up there with the greats without a doubt.” His captain, Jason Holder, who spoke with the media shortly after Gayle did, said he was unaware of Gayle’s intentions. “He didn’t really say anything in the dressing room,” said Holder. “But, yeah, it’s great and it’s great for cricket. It’s good to have Chris around, as I said before. He’s got a lot to offer still, I believe.”