The head of the universe is never nervous, Chris Gayle said when asked how he feels, as Kings XI Punjab needed 2 Super Overs against the Mumbai Indians to score 2 points and stay on track for the 2020 IPL playoffs. From the outside at least, it looked like Gayle was, as usual, relaxed as he went to bat with Mayank Agarwal in the historic second Super OVer in Dubai on Sunday.
With 12 needed for a win, Chris Gayle crushed Trent Boult in the long stands as Kings XI Punjab began their chase in the 2nd Super Over high up. The great West Indies player, who was on the bench in the first half of the 2020 IPL, used all his experience and landed the crucial big shot as soon as the first ball.
KXIP vs MI – IPL 2020: Super Overs – Highlights | Report
After Gayle hit a single, Mayank Agarwal did the rest by scoring two limits and taking the team over the finish line. Both Gayle and Mayank didn’t hit in the first Super Over when KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran came out and they only did 5 runs before Mohammed Shami threw a yorker to force the 2nd Super Over.
Gayle said he wasn’t nervous even when 2 Super Overs were played, but he was disappointed that his starting partner Mayank Agarwal asked him if he should take the strike in the 2nd Super Over.
“I wasn’t nervous, I was a little more angry and upset to see us get to this position. Like I said, it’s a cricket game and these things happen,” Gayle told Mayank in a fun IPL interaction.
“When we were going to hit, I was mad at you for asking who was going to face the first ball. I was like ‘Mayank, are you really asking that question?’ It’s the boss who has to face the first ball.
Close enough. pic.twitter.com/H8jCEjvW89
– Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) October 18, 2020
“I was backing up to face the first ball. You see, I wanted it. You have to step in and get the first ball for 6 runs,” Gayle said.
Mohammed Shami, my man of the match: Chris Gayle
Meanwhile, Chris Gayle also said that Mohammed Shami deserved the Man of the Match award for defeating the Yorkers against Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock in the first Super Over. Shami defended only 5 runs, after which Chris Jordan took on the responsibility of launching the second Super Over for KXIP.
Jordan did well to keep players like Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard away from doing too much damage, giving away just 11 runs.
“For me, Shami is the man of the match. Defending six runs against Rohit and Quinny (de Kock), it’s fantastic, it’s a great job. I’ve faced him on the net quite often, I know he can catch those yorkers Believe me, You nail them well, today you came and delivered, you gave us a second chance.
“Chris Jordan came in with the second Super Over. Mayank, you saved us 5 runs too. I mean, they did well. I’m glad we’re part of history and the winning side,” Gayle said. .
