Cricket fans were left shocked to see Punjab Kings leave out Chris Gayle from their Playing XI and that too on the occasion of big hitter’s 42nd birthday. Well, Punjab Kings resumed their journey in IPL 2021 with a match against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday. Punjab captain KL Rahul won the toss and elected to field first in their first match in UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
During the toss, Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul revealed Chris Gayle isn’t among the four overseas players in the playing XI for their first match against Rajasthan Royals.
“It’s good to be back in Dubai. Lot of guys were playing international cricket, but we are all professionals and have done our best to prepare. Pooran, Markram, Adil Rashid, Fabian Allen. Markram will bat No. 3, unfortunately Chris Gayle misses out,” Rahul said after the toss.
Fans were left in shock with the strategy of Punjab Kings, after all, Chris Gayle has been one of the most destructive batsmen around the world. He is also hailed as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the Indian Premier League. Over the years, the Universe Boss has given several match-winning performances and has etched his name in the hearts of his fans.
Gayle also did extremely well in IPL 2020 which also took place in UAE, therefore, the fans were left disappointed with the decision of KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings. Soon, social media was flooded with reactions from the fans, who are trolling the team management of Punjab Kings, left, right and center.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
You are not a clown, you are the entire circus!#PBKSvRR pic.twitter.com/d4ztSGvWPz
— JC (@jc_writes_) September 21, 2021
#PBKSvRR
Miller and Gayle sitting in the dugout pic.twitter.com/iurvbVrnYg— Savage (@arcomedys) September 21, 2021
How RCB celebrated Gayle How Punjab celebrated pic.twitter.com/fgQetsnDXZ
— r/RCB (@rcb_reddit) September 21, 2021
Now that he hasn’t been selected by his team, Chris Gayle can go ahead. And if he does, he should get a Nishan-e-Pakistan like Darren Sammy and Syed Ali Shah Geelani. pic.twitter.com/5hOeYX75Mu
— Arnab Ray (@greatbong) September 21, 2021
Birthday wishes can be painful
Somebody posted his Masterclass 175 and I’m in the past right now ?
Hbd @henrygayle ? pic.twitter.com/anb08nMmeN— ً (@ijeevank) September 21, 2021
yes bishnoi was their best bowler and they dropped him..prefered gayle opening with mayank kl 1 down.. pooran could have been drop
— Cricket_in_veins (@veins_cricket) September 21, 2021
Last season they started winning after gayle came in 11.
— Dr. Ravi Bhai Daruwala (@RaviBhai2705) September 21, 2021
That was the Shot from Lewis…Taking revenge for not picking his Caribbean Team mate Gayle
— _.navi.____
(@_vaishh_s) September 21, 2021
(@_vaishh_s) #PBKSvRR
Chris Gayle distributing sweets on his birthday in the dugout. pic.twitter.com/BqAwM2rcoe— Rajneesh ?? (@Rajneesh_16) September 21, 2021
Happy Birthday Chris Gayle. Really missing u in action today against Rajasthan Royals!!#PBKSvRR #PBKS #ChrisGayle
— Arko Prabha Mukherjee (@PrabhaArko) September 21, 2021
