IPL 2013: Modest Chris Gayle showers praise on team after hitting 175*
Gayle said it was not a weak bowling attack from Pune but that the wicket was good to bat on.
After his breathtaking 66-ball 175 in the Indian Premier League here today, Chris Gayle was modesty personified, preferring to highlight the contributions of his team-mates whose efforts paled in comparison to the Jamaican's record-breaking feat.
"(Tillakaratne) Dilshan and A B (de Villiers) supported us really well. It was a breathtaking game and happy to be on the winning side. The bowlers finished things on a high," Gayle said after smashing his way into the record books with a 30-ball century, the fastest in T-20 cricket.
"I am really happy with the win from the team point of view. It puts us on top of the table. It is one of the days when you come out and things go according to you," he told reporters at the post-match press conference after Bangalore's record 130-run win over Pune Warriors.
Asked to rate the innings, Gayle said scoring 175 runs in a T20 match is never easy.
"You know how quickly these games can change. I wanted to stay there till the end, at least 18 overs, if not all, which I did. A B came in and did a magnificent job for the team to put us in great position," he said.
Replying to a query, Gayle denied that Pune Warriors bowling attack was weak and felt the wicket here was good to bat on.
"You can't take away the fact that sometimes as a batter when you get on top of a bowler it is going to create a different scenario. Pune bowlers did well in the last couple of games, especially Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, who did well in this match (also)," he said.
About the last over, Gayle said it was nice to finish off that way.
"Some people keep on asking -- they have seen the Gangnam style in international cricket but why not in IPL. I thought it was the perfect time. I got a wicket and everything worked out perfectly," he said.
"The crowd is pleased and happy. I am glad to see that. I am an entertainer so I try and entertain as much as possible. They pay the money to come and see good cricket," Gayle said.
Asked what he had for breakfast on Tuesday, Gayle said he had one omelette, two pancakes and one hot chocolate. "That's all I have to eat on such days. Hopefully I get something to eat now," he added.
On having a word with Ashoke Dinda during the match, Gayle said the Indian pacer is his buddy since the KKR playing days.
"We are now playing against each other now. It is a competitive battle over there but at the same time we had a laugh and it is good fun. I like him, great energy and always gives his hundred per cent," he said.
On Manchester United winning the English Premier League title, Gayle said, "Bautiful maan. I was not up watching the game. Good fun. Hopefully RCB can win the title too," he said.