Gayle pulls out IPL to focus on World Cup

ICC Cricket World Cup – Afghanistan v West Indies
West Indies’ Chris Gayle reacts after losing his wicket during a match against Afghanistan Headingley, Leeds, Britain on July 4, 2019.
Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith

Veteran West Indies batsman, Chris Gayle withdrew from the Punjab King for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (CPL) because of bio-secure bubble fatigue.

Gayle said in a statement released through the Kings that he wanted to take a break ahead of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, which starts on Oct. 17 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

“Over the past few months, I have been a part of the CWI (Cricket West Indies) bubble, CPL (Caribbean Premier League) followed by the IPL bubble and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself,” he said.

“I want to focus on helping the West Indies in the Twenty20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai,” Gayle said.

Gayle played only three matches since the IPL resumed on Sept. 19 in the UAE because of the COVID-19 pandemic in India in April.

Gayle scored only 14, 15 and one in three innings.