I was disrespected, felt like getting into depression’ – Chris Gayle recalls sour chapter at Punjab Kings

Chris Gayle recalls sour chapter at Punjab Kings (Source: IPL/BCCI)

Former West Indian cricketer and ex-Punjab Kings batter Chris Gayle has opened up on his unpleasant stint with Punjab Kings. Gayle’s last four seasons of playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) came with the Punjab-based franchised.

Gayle disclosed that he was ‘treated like a kid’ and felt undermined during his time at the franchise despite being a star performer in the IPL since the past several seasons.

“My Indian Premier League ended prematurely with Punjab Kings. I was disrespected at Kings XI. I felt I wasn’t treated properly as a senior who had done so much for the league and brought value. They treated me like a kid. For the first time in my life, I felt like getting into depression,” stated Gayle in a video posted on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel.

The 45-year-old cricketer also reflected on his interactions with then-head coach of the franchise Anil Kumble and ex-PBKS superstar KL Rahul.

“I broke down talking to Anil Kumble because I was really hurt. I was disappointed with him and the way the franchise was run. KL Rahul even called me saying, ‘Chris, stay, you’ll play the next game’. But I just said, ‘I wish you all the best’, and packed my bag, and walked out,” he added.

Gayle registered 1339 runs in 41 matches for PBKS at a strike rate of 140.52. He joined PBKS from RCB after spending seven seasons with the latter. Overall, Gayle is an IPL legend with almost 5000 runs under his belt. He has scored 404 fours and 357 sixes in the cash-rich tournament.

Gayle last played competitively while representing West Indies Champions in the 2025 World Championship of Legends. Gayle still stands at the top of the run-scoring charts in T20s with 14,562 runs in 463 matches, including a whopping 88 fifties and 22 tons.

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