NEW DELHI: Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener Chris Gayle humorously suggested serving as an impact substitute for the team and fondly recalled his time with the IPL franchise.
Gayle was present at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium when RCB made history by securing a 27-run victory against the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.
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Despite facing adversity, RCB defied the odds and clinched their place in the IPL playoffs.
They achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs after winning only one of their initial seven matches in the season.
During the game, Gayle, who is a member of the RCB Hall of Fame, expressed his affection for the franchise.
He even playfully offered to step in as an impact substitute if the team required an additional player.
"As you can see jersey still fits so if they need an extra man, I can be the impact player. It is good to see the fans. RCB forever, I will forever be an RCB fan," Gayle said in a video posted by RCB on X.
The fans of RCB have had the privilege of witnessing Gayle shatter records and establish new ones at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
It was in this very stadium that Gayle achieved an astonishing feat, scoring an unbeaten 175 runs off a mere 66 deliveries against Pune Warriors in the IPL 2013.
More than a decade later, Gayle's extraordinary knock remains the highest individual score in the T20 format. His record-breaking performance included 13 boundaries and an astounding 17 towering sixes.
Gayle continues to hold the record for hitting the most sixes in a single innings by a batter in the history of the lucrative league.
He shared his fondness for playing at Chinnaswamy and the electrifying atmosphere created by the passionate fans.
"It is always good to be back where you have fun memories. It is good to see the guys in a very important game. For me, it is very special to be right here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. One thing I noticed the roof, brand new, I know I have done some damage. I hope someone can put a dent in there and make it entertaining like the Universe Boss," Gayle said.
"I got goosebumps. This is the best place to play cricket, the atmosphere is brilliant and the fans played a big part during my career with RCB," Gayle added.
On the field, RCB posted a total of 218/5 and managed to restrict CSK before they could surpass 201, which would have improved their net run rate. RCB emerged victorious with a 27-run margin and secured their spot in the final four.
(Inputs from ANI)
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