‘It’s only going to be one Universe Boss, just one’ – Chris Gayle not keen on passing the baton to new age aggressive batters

Chris Gayle and Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Suryakumar Yadav quickly switched from playing in the ODI World Cup to showing his skills in T20 matches. Just a few days after the World Cup final, he became India’s captain for the T20 series against Australia.

In the first match, he played amazingly, scoring 80 runs in just 42 balls with four sixes and nine boundaries. His batting and captaincy skills have already helped India take a strong 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Cricket fans are talking a lot about Suryakumar Yadav‘s impressive performance in T20 cricket as some compare him to AB de Villiers for his ability to hit the ball all around, and some even call him the “New Universe Boss” because of his consistent dominance in different conditions and against various bowling attacks. However, Chris Gayle, who is known as the original ‘Universe Boss,’ says there can only be one Universe Boss, and that’s him.

“No, there’s no other Gayle. There will never ever be another Gayle. There will never ever be. It’s only going to be one Universe Boss, just one,” Gayle said when asked by Hindustan Times during the Dehradun leg of the ongoing 2023 Legends League Cricket emphasizing that he is the only one who can hold that title of ‘Universe Boss’.

Gayle praised Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian team, for his aggressive batting in the ODI World Cup and said that he likes batters who can really challenge bowlers, and Rohit is one of them.

“I like his aggressive batting. I want batters to destroy bowlers, and Rohit is one of them who does that,” Gayle added.

Virat was already phenomenal: Chris Gayle

When talking about Virat Kohli, who broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI centuries during the World Cup, Gayle said that he remembers how Kohli was already a phenomenal player back when they were both in the Royal Challengers Bangalore team.

“When I was playing for RCB, he was already phenomenal, even in ODI cricket. It was no secret back then. It was all right there in front of us, and from there to see him get to the 50th century in ODI cricket, that’s unbelievable. To break a legend’s record like Sachin, that’s fantastic. We have to give the guy as much credit as he deserves. That’s phenomenal. And I don’t see anyone getting close to that or breaking that,” Gayle added.

These days, Gayle is enjoying playing in the Legends League Cricket, where he represents the Gujarat Giants. He’s quite happy to share the opening partnership with South Africa’s legendary player Jacques Kallis.

“Cricket is my life, it is in my blood, and it has given me everything. So when you get a chance to play cricket in a league like Legends League Cricket (LLC), it’s fantastic to be here. It is a win-win situation for everybody,” said Gayle. “Good to be a part of LLC my second stint with them. It’s good to share the dressing rooms with all the Legends of the game. I get to open the batting with Kallis; it is a great feeling,” he concluded.