IPL 2020: KXIP head coach Anil Kumble reveals why Chris Gayle missed out against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Anil Kumble and Chris Gayle

Universe Boss Chris Gayle was all set to play his maiden game of the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) against Sunrisers Hyderabad but got sidelined due to a stomach bug. Kings XI Punjab head coach Anil Kumble revealed this during the match 22 of IPL 2020.

“Chris Gayle was going to play today’s match, but he is sick. He is down with food poisoning that’s why he isn’t in playing eleven,” Kumble told commentators during the game.

Chris Gayle is one of the legends in the history of Indian Premier League. With several records like most T20 runs, most sixes, highest individual score in T20 cricket and many more, Gayle is a true asset for any side. Moreover, KXIP batting coach Wasim Jaffer also recently revealed that the team doesn’t want to bring them in at a stage when it would effectively need to win every game to make the IPL play-offs.

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“It should happen soon. As I said, it needs to happen sooner than later. We don’t want to bring Gayle when every game is a must-win game. Hopefully, we will have him featuring soon,” Jaffer told PTI on the inclusion of Gayle.

Another below-par show by KXIP

Nicholas Pooran smashed the fastest fifty for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in IPL 2020. But it went in vain as KXIP fell 69 runs short in chasing the target of 202 set by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Rashid Khan once again turned up for SRH who picked three crucial wickets and helped restrict KXIP for 132 runs.

David Warner won the toss and elected to bat first. SRH openers Warner and Jonny Bairstow made the best start of IPL 2020 so far with a 160 run partnership. The latter also won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his splendid knock of 97 runs in 55 deliveries.

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