Dubai. Chris Gayle, one of the finest destroyers of any bowling attack in the world feels that hitting sixes is just natural these days. In an exclusive interview to Gulf News, Gayle who is here as the ambassador of Kerala Cricket League (KCL) talked in depth about the thrill of being a hard-hitter and thus being able to entertain the cricket world.
“Hitting sixes is just natural these days. It looks easier in the middle as everybody is hitting sixes these days even down to guys with less muscle. So now hitting sixes is now natural for everybody because Twenty20 has brought lot of dimension into the game. Everybody wasn’t attacking in the past now they are attacking because they are playing the shorter format of the game and you will get to see more sixes in Test matches now. It is fantastic.”
So how is it to known as an entertainer? Gayle in his typical nonchalant manner said: “It is good when a person can entertain the world and get that sort of respect by playing such a game. That is my objective. You came to interview me because I guess I have done something really good for you to actually come to me. Hopefully I can keep entertaining and that is what you want to see for sure and that is what everyone wants to see around the world. The standard has actually been set it is up to you guys to actually see me go and do it every time but it won’t happen often but when I do it you all will be happy.”
When the master of hard hitting was asked as to what is it required to be a hard hitter, Gayle said: “It is nothing but how you prepare yourself to actually go to the middle and exploit whatever can be done. Lot of people think Chris Gayle is going out there and will slam and dispatch lots of sixes but for that preparation is very vital. You’ve got to practice what you preach.”
Gayle then went on reveal that he does something that golfers do. “In the nets I do range hitting just like golfers do. I definitely do those sorts of things to actually make sure you are in the game but it is important to have preparation to actually do those things.”
Who does Gayle consider as real destroyers of bowling like him? “Way back there was Viv Richards, the master blaster but in my time it was Sanath [Jayasuriya] and [Virender] Sehwag. They were very destructive batters and I love watching attacking batters. Those batters I will sit and watch but if not I won’t watch cricket. I want to be entertained as well if I am going to watch cricket. So they were entertainers and so I used to watch. Even Sourav Ganguly was so on his day in One-day cricket. I loved to watch these kinds of guys who were ready to dominate bowlers.”
To a query about when Gayle knows it is his day, he revealed: “Sometimes if it is your day, on the first ball I will get that feel and the way it [ball] comes off the bat and then I know something big can happen today. Those things we can sense it sometimes.”
UAE fans will soon be able to see Gayle’s sixes as he will be playing in the Pakistan Super League in February here. “I am looking forward to coming here and it is a new tournament and I’m excited to be a part of it. With new teams, people will get to see the stars just like the IPL and CPL, hopefully it will be a successful one.”
