Universe Boss Chris Gayle who holds a number of records in T20s including the most runs and most sixes is yet to play a game in this year's Indian Premier League in UAE. . KXIP head coach, Anil Kumble, however, had stated that they wanted to include Gayle in the Playing XI in their previous match against SRH but had to change the plans as Gayle was sick. After KXIP suffered their 5th successive defeat in IPL 2020 on Saturday, Chris Gayle took to Instagram to post a few video stories that confirmed the Universe Boss was in the hospital with a tube attached to his arm.“I can tell you this!!! I will never go down without a fight!! I Am The #UniverseBoss - That will never changed!! You can learn from me...but it’s not everything I do you should follow!! Don’t forget my style and flare too. Thanks for all your concerns peeps, much appreciated,” Gayle captioned his Insta post.
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Despite not getting to play a game for KXIP this season, Gayle remains a crucial part of the team, as per opening batsman Mayank Agarwal. “Gayle is an integral part of KXIP whether playing or mentoring. He has been speaking to all of us, contributing in the batters’ meeting and also sharing stuff which is crucial. I have had great conversations with Gayle. We first played together in RCB and just watching him play and chatting is fantastic,” Agarwal had told ANI. Kings XI Punjab are languishing at the bottom of the points table after having lost 6 out 7 games in IPL 2020, despite boasting a strong T20 team on paper. KL Rahul-led KXIP's has suffered mainly because of the star Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell's poor outing in the middle order so far. West Indies legend Brian Lara was disappointed after Chris Gayle was not included in Kings XI Punjab's playing XI against KKR in the Abu Dhabi match. "I'm really disappointed (that Gayle is not there). Chris Gayle is a fear factor... We’ve seen Jordan, has not been very good in the IPL so far, I'm not saying he’s a bad player but I think packing the batting with Chris Gayle is something that they should’ve done," Lara said on the pre-match show at Star Sports.
