IPL 2020: Sachin Tendulkar Describes Chris Gayle As "Smart Player" Who Has Brought Energy To Kings XI Punjab

Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar has said that Chris Gayle is a really smart player and he has brought a lot of energy to the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) team. Gayle warmed the bench in the initial phase of the tournament, but he has played the last three matches for the franchise, and co-incidentally Punjab have managed to win all three of them.

"When it comes to Gayle, people only talk about his big-hitting. That everyone knows, but many guys don't notice one thing, Gayle is a very smart player. He is a big hitter no doubt but he is a clever guy. If he finds someone threatening who can get him out, he is prepared to see his over through. Then he will target one or two bowlers like he targeted Tushar Despande in the match against Delhi. He got 26 runs off that over," said Tendulkar in a video posted on his official Twitter handle.

"Gayle is a smart player, don't think that Gayle will come out and hit every ball. He does not do that, he understands the surface, he reads the pace of the surface and what the bowler is good at. When he realises that there is a bowler who he can go after, then he goes all out," he added.

KXIP are currently sixth on the points table with eight points from 10 matches. They will be up against SunRisers Hyderabad on Saturday and the KL Rahul-led side can keep their playoffs hope alive by winning the encounter against David Warner-led side.

Gayle has so far played three matches in IPL 2020 so far, managing to score 106 runs with his highest score being 53 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"Gayle has brought a lot of energy to the Punjab team , there are certain players with the way they play, it has a positive impact on the team and that is what has happened with Gayle coming back. KL and Mayank both have been batting well, with Gayle coming back Punjab's batting lineup becomes really good," said Tendulkar.

Topics mentioned in this article

Kings XI Punjab Sunrisers Hyderabad Chris Gayle Sachin Tendulkar IPL 2020 Cricket