Never Forget the Undisputed King of IPL T20

If a boundary being hit for four runs is the signature shot of Test Cricket, then it is logical to award the signature shot of T20 cricket to the maximum shot, the exhilarating Sixer.

Akin to Sir Don Bradman the undisputed King of Test Cricket, there is only one King of IPL who has achieved seemingly impossible records that will take forever to break.

In IPL T20, he has the enviable career record of 357 sixes in 120 matches at a strike rate of 149. What makes this extra special is how far away the second position is, with AB Devilliers getting 251 sixes in 184 matches at a strike rate of 152. Yes, this is a humongous gap of 106, and our King has hit 43% more sixes than another God of IPL.

Our champion of the world also holds the record for the highest IPL score of 175 not out, with Brendon McCullum in second position with 158 not out. And to top it all, he has 6 hundreds, which happens to be the highest record for IPL tons. Its ironic that because of his superpower for hitting the maximum, he has achieved a much lower number of 4's (only 405, putting him at a low #11) and even lower 50's (just 31 where David Warner holds the record with 58). No time or inclination for small records here.

In T20 World Cup, he holds the record for the fastest 100 in 47 balls, with the second position also going to him in 50 balls.

For the very unlikely few of you haven't already guessed who we are talking about, it only but the Universe Boss, Christopher Henry Gayle, or Chris Gayle who was born on 21 September 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica. Standing tall at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) he is also known as Gayle Force, the left handed powerhouse who entertained us over the years. 

An interesting fact that many of you may not remember about Gayle is that in 2005, during a series against Australia, Gayle complained of dizziness and shortness of breath during his innings, and after the match was sent to hospital where he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect causing a cardiac dysrhythmia, requiring him to undergo heart surgery to correct the defect. 

Now, if you remember, IPL started only in the year 2008 and therefore, all his records and feats are the result of a new reinforced cardiovascular system. Let this be a lesson to all of us that timely medical diagnosis and intervention is so very important, and something all of us should be concerned about and not be given second priority over other things in life.

Post Gayle's retirement, his absence now on the field is felt, especially when watching the dramatic performances of those he inspired. It makes us remember all the good times the Universe Boss has given us over the years.

Let us not forget Chris Gayle, the Undisputed King of IPL T20

 

- Sachin V Gopalan