By Lakshmi Jyothish
West Indies batting legend Chris Gayle has opened up about one of the most “difficult phases of his career”. That is the end of his stint with the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking on journalist Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, the former cricketer recalled how a lack of respect and support from the franchise pushed him to pack his bags and walk out.
Gayle, one of the most celebrated T20 players in the world, said that he was made to feel like an inexperienced youngster despite his stature. “I wasn’t treated properly as a senior who had given so much to the league.They treated me like a kid,” he said.
The two-time IPL Orange Cap winner admitted that the experience left him in what he described as a “depression mode.” He revealed that this outweighed his desire to continue which led to his premature exit during the season. “It reached a point where I just couldn’t take it anymore. I packed my bags and walked out,” said Gayle.
Reports have suggested that Gayle’s dissatisfaction stemmed from team management decisions under the then coach Anil Kumble.
The cricketer however has decidedly chosen to pursue the issue on the larger issue of respect and recognition for senior players, emphasizing that mental well being is as important as on field performance.
Gayle’s account on the podcast highlights the often hidden pressures of professional cricket. His story adds to yet another a growing conversation around how franchises treat their players, men’s mental health and the subsequent need for better support systems within high stakes tournaments like the IPL.