Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling coach Heath Streak on April 20 said that the team would be focusing to get the dynamic West Indies batter Chris Gayle back in the hut early when they take on Kings XI Punjab at the Eden Gardens on April 21.
Heath Streak’s statement came after KXIP’s explosive opener Gayle hammered first century of IPL 2018 season while playing against Sunrisers Hyderabad during match number 16 of the IPL 2018 at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on April 19.
Gayle, who came to open the innings for KXIP after they elected to bat first on winning the toss, smashed SRH bowlers all-around the park to complete his 6th IPL century in 58 balls.
In his unbeaten 104-run knock, Gayle struck 11 huge sixes, including 4 consecutive sixes to SRH’s premier spinner Rashid Khan, and just a four.
Here’s to yet another Gaylestorm _ @henrygayle#LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #KingsXIPunjab #KXIP #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/sixUgw1pcd
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) 19 April 2018
“Lot of people always ask us, the bowling coaches ‘what’s the plan’. It is very difficult for us to say because then he’ll find out. So we can’t really tell you the exact plan. He is a dangerous player,” Streak told reporters when asked about plans to contain Gayle on the eve of their Punjab game at the Eden Gardens.
“How you start to him is very important early on. If you allow someone like Chris to get into his innings and rhythm and confidence, he is a very dangerous player. He is so powerful and backs his ability when the ball is in his zone to clear the boundary,” said the former Zimbabwe captain.
“Last night was one of many examples we have seen not just in IPL but in his career. We will be planning well for him as well as the other players,” Streak added.
It’s summer but #Mohali witnessed a #Gaylestorm tonight!
Keep watching #KXIPvSRH: https://t.co/YRrLZXcMIL#VIVOIPL #KhelDekhGameDikha @henrygayle @Lionsdenkxip pic.twitter.com/MxUzG7McuZ— Hotstar (@hotstartweets) 19 April 2018
Gayle was not picked in the IPL auctions initially before Punjab decided to take T20 cricket’s most successful batsman for his base price of Rs.2 crore.
Two Young Guns soak in the nostalgia with KKR’s ‘Wall of Fame’. _
Watch the video to see their reactions! _#RRvKKR #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/sMtCSDAtMI
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) 19 April 2018
Gayle’s whirlwind hundred, his sixth in the Indian Premier League (IPL), helped Punjab ease past Hyderabad by 15 runs at Mohali on Thursday night.
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