Over the years, veteran West Indies opener Chris Gayle and Indian batsman Virat Kohli have developed a strong friendship. Their bond has been nurtured during their time together at the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Beyond the cricket field, they are known to be close friends, sharing a deep connection off the pitch.
Kohli, presently the top run-scorer in the lucrative league, has amassed 7263 runs from 229 matches. Meanwhile, Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in the Indian Premier League, having hammered an unbeaten 175 runs against Pune Warriors India during the 2013 edition of the tournament.
Chris Gayle Feels It Was Unfair To Drop Him From RCB
Speaking to Star Sports, Chris Gayle shared insights into his bond with Virat Kohli. Gayle disclosed that they share a strong relationship both on and off the field. He further mentioned that they have formed some remarkable partnerships, including several hundred-plus-run stands, which have contributed to their camaraderie.
Chris Gayle mentioned that he was the aggressor, going after bowlers from the start, while Virat Kohli preferred to settle in and construct his innings. Reflecting on the year 2016, Gayle recalled Kohli’s outstanding performance, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 973 runs with four centuries.
“We had a good relationship, we had a great relationship pretty much on and off the field. We have some very very outstanding partnerships in the middle. We opened the batting together, and we have a couple of hundred-run partnerships. Pretty much I was the guy who was firing from ball 1, he was pretty much take his time to build his innings. I remember he had that fantastic run in 2016, he scored over 900 runs, four centuries as well in the IPL.”
Furthermore, Chris Gayle mentioned that 2017 marked his final year with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and he felt he didn’t quite fit into the team. Despite this, he cherished some wonderful moments with Virat Kohli, including dancing together. He said:
“So that was fantastic. And that year was pretty much my last year, I think, with RCB. But that year was a special year for me because that’s the year my daughter was born, had to leave IPL, and then I went home to the birth of my child, my daughter at the time. And then I came back for the RCB team and I just couldn’t find myself fitting back in the team, which was very ridiculous being one of the best overseas players and I just couldn’t find a way back in the RCB team. But Kohli, we had some great moments off the field as well.”
He added: “Some dance moves, a signature meet and greet, but it was just good fun. The after-parties upstairs at the hotel at that particular time were really good camaraderie together and was just one of those moments where we cherish those memories. Those memories will actually live on forever. And like I said, great guy as well.”
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