Chris Gayle backs new Windies skipper Nicholas Pooran

CWI had appointed Nicholas Pooran as the new skipper of the ODI and T20I sides, after the retirement of Kieron Pollard.

West Indies batting legend Chris Gayle believes the Pooran’s position of team captain is good for the West Indies White ball Cricket.

The ‘Universe Boss’ has carved out a legacy as one of the greatest-ever T20 players and has scored more centuries than anyone else.

Last year Gayle seemingly weaved goodbye to international cricket following the end of West Indies 2021 T20 world cup. But he yet not Announce His Retirement.

(Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Gayle reacted to the news on Twitter, after Kieron Pollard’s decided to call it quits from his international team. “Can’t believe you retired before me @KieronPollard55,” the ‘Universe Boss’ tweeted.

Also he chose to not sign up for the mega auction before this year’s edition of the IPL. He has now opened up about why he opted to not play IPL 2022. Gayle said that he felt he did not get the respect he deserved and was not treated “properly” in the last few seasons of the IPL.

“For the last couple of years, the way the IPL went about, I felt like I wasn’t treated properly,” Gayle told UK’s Mirror.

However, he did not rule out a return to the league next season.

“Next year I’m coming back, they need me!” said the West Indies icon, who has played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and most recently, Punjab Kings.

These comments make it clear that Gayle has not yet left the his Game.

Meanwhile, After Skipper Kieron Pollard called time on his West Indies career last month, and he was replaced by Nicolas Pooran as the white-ball captain earlier this Month, news which was welcomed by the Windies’ leading ODI run scorer.

“That’s good, Nicolas Pooran, he was always one of the future captains,” Gayle said. “He’s young, he’s gaining a lot more experience which is very good, I wish him all the very best. He’ll get the backing from his players to perform and to lead, so we look forward to the World Cup coming up as well, and he’ll have my support.”  

As the two-time world cup champions move into a new era, Gayle stressed the need for consistency in order for his national side to become one of the world’s best once again.

“We are trying our best to be more competitive, we have been trying this for years now,” the cricket star added. We need to be more consistent, we need a very good run, one or two years of good, solid and consistent cricket.”

Gayle has scaled the heights of the game that many players can only dream of, and as he enjoys the twilight of his career, he stated how he wants to be remembered when he decides to hang up his bat for good. In typical fashion,

“The most determined cricketer of all time and the most strongest to do it, on and off the field. That’s why it’s my universe.”  he Added

Pooran previously led the sides in Pollard’s absence and All in all, Pooran has played 37 ODIs and 57 T20Is for West Indies, scoring 1121 and 1193 runs respectively.

Pooran will lead the side as the full-time white-ball captain for the first time in the three-match away ODI series against Netherlands, which will be a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

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