As Kings XI Punjab hosted Chennai Super Kings at Mohali, captain R Ashwin had a surprise in store for the opposition as well as the fans who had made their way to the stadium. He revealed it soon after the toss to send fans in collective delirium. “Gayle comes in.” These three words were enough to leave fans jumping with excitement and rest was phenomenal comeback innings.
Usually, huge roars in an Indian stadium are usually reserved for the country’s star players. It’s only during the Indian Premier League though that this rule is relaxed just enough to accommodate a select few foreign stars. The West Indians sit high up in this pecking order. On Monday, Russell smashed a 12-ball 41 at an astonishing strike rate of 341.66 as his side beat Delhi Daredevils by convincing 71-run margin
The Australians might attract the big bucks from franchises, but no foreign player stirs up excitement in an Indian stadium quite like a West Indian From Chris Gayle’s lusty blows, Sunil Narine’s all-round show to Andre Russell’s explosive strike rate, the Caribbean flavour is never out of fashion in the IPL. Just as Dwayne Bravo’s ‘champion’ tune is never far from the lips of most fans either.