Known for his six-hitting menace, Chris Gayle is widely regarded as a T20 specialist, although his stats in the other two formats do not fully agree with it. The Caribbean giant holds several records in the shorter format of the game, including being the first player to score a T20 international century.
The southpaw has represented West Indies in 79 T20Is and has amassed 1899 runs, at a strike rate of 137.51, including two hundreds and 14 half-centuries. As the T20 legend celebrates his 45th birthday, let’s take a look at his best performances in the shorter format of the game.
Here are Chris Gayle’s top 3 performances in T20Is
3. 98(66) vs Ind, Bridgetown, 2010, T20 WC
Chris Gayle played a match-winning knock against India in the 2010 T20 World Cup group match. The opening batter missed out on a well-deserved ton by just two runs. However, his 98 off 66 that packed with five fours and seven sixes helped the Windies reach a competitive total of 169/6 after batting first. In reply, India were bundled out for 155 runs and the hosts won by 14 runs.
2. 100*(48) vs Eng, Wankhede, 2016, T20 WC
Gayle’s second T20I century came in the 2016 T20 World Cup match against England. Batting first, the English team posted a solid total of 182/6 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. West Indies suffered an early setback as they lost Johnson Charles for a duck in the first over. However, Gayle continued his onslaught and took the team over the line in 18.1 overs with an unbeaten 100 off just 48 deliveries.
1. 117(57) vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007, T20 WC
With his blistering ton, Chris Gayle got the T20 World Cup off to a flying start. The Caribbean giant smashed 117 off 57 balls In the inaugural match of the 2007 T20 WC against South Africa. His knock was powered by seven fours and 10 towering sixes. This was the first-ever century in the shorter format. Chasing a massive score of 206, South Africa made a fiery start. Thanks to Herschelle Gibbs’ counter-attacking knock (90* off 55), the Proteas batters chased down the target in 17.4 overs.