Gayle On Reunion With Kohli And De Villiers: 'That Would Be Something Special..'
Chris Gayle reflects on West Indies' journey in the World Championship of Legends,and weighs in on the idea of a reunion with Kohli and de Villiers.
Although the West Indies Champions narrowly missed a semifinal spot in the World Championship of Legends, the tournament concluded positively with Chris Gayle discussing the team's journey, his future plans, and a potential dream reunion with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Gayle remarked, 'Virat is a phenomenal player. We've spent some great time together both on and off the field. He is a true legend of the sport, and we miss him dearly in international cricket."
When asked about the possibility of Kohli joining the Legends League alongside him and AB de Villiers, Gayle added, 'That would be something special. Fans would love that."
Virat Kohli had dedicated the Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) first Indian Premier League (IPL) victory to franchise stalwarts AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.
'I promise you this feels 10 times more special because these two are standing next to me. Honestly, it is as much theirs as it is mine. When you come to Bengaluru, it is not just me; when they come, people love them and they go absolutely berserk," Virat had said.
'They know, and they appreciate that they have given their heart and soul to this team till the time they played here. These two guys have given their everything, so it is equally theirs, too," he added.
Ajay Sethi, owner of the West Indies Champions, supported this sentiment, stating, 'Wins and losses are part of the game. I'll sit with Chris and plan new strategies for next season. Every edition teaches us something new, and we are committed to a serious title run in 2026."
The two-week tournament in England concluded with the South Africa Champions lifting the trophy, thanks to AB de Villiers, who scored a sensational century, leading them to a nine-wicket victory over the Pakistan Champions to secure their maiden WCL title.
With the promise of a bigger, bolder return and hopes of a Kohli-Gayle-ABD reunion, WCL fans across the globe now eagerly await 2026. One thing is certain – the legends aren't done yet.
(With inputs from IANS)
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
HC declines interim relief to cricketer Dayal in rape case
1 2 Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court Wednesday declined to grant interim relief to 27-year-old cricketer Yash Dayal, who is facing allegations of raping a minor. The court refused to stay his arrest or halt police proceedings in the case. Justice Sudesh Bansal, while hearing Dayal's plea, observed that since the survivor was a minor when the alleged incident first took place, no protection from arrest could be considered at this stage. The court has called for the case diary from city police and listed the matter for further hearing on Aug 22. Yash Dayal, a fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh and a member of Royal Challengers Bangalore, the current IPL champion team, was accused of sexually assaulting the girl when she was 17. According to the survivor's lawyer, the incident occurred about two years ago, when she was a minor. It was also alleged that Dayal called the girl to a hotel in Sitapura during IPL-2025 and raped her again. Sanganer Sadar police registered the case on July 23. As per the petition, the survivor introduced herself as a cricketer and came in contact with Dayal in connection with her sporting career. She alleged that Dayal promised her help with professional opportunities in exchange for sexual favours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Limited Time iPhone Deals (Save Big) on the Latest Models! SearchPad Undo During the hearing, Dayal's counsel, Kunal Jaiman, argued that another case from a different complainant was filed in Ghaziabad, and the Allahabad High Court stayed proceedings in that matter. He further alleged that the complainant in Ghaziabad and that in Jaipur were in collision and a group was trying to blackmail Dayal by filing coordinated cases against him.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘I was never the villain, I was made into one': Oval pitch curator who irked Gautam Gambhir after epic India vs England encounter
India came back from a seemingly hopeless situation to win the Oval Test and draw the five-match series against England 2-2. It marked the end of a series that was filled with incidents. While most of it happened on the field, India head coach Gautam Gambhir's argument with Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis before the start of the fifth Test was easily the most prominent off-field flare-up over the course of the series. Gambhir firing angry words at Fortis is what went viral first and the Indian head coach received some criticism for his choice of words to describe the latter's profession. However, details later emerged about what it is that irked Gambhir so much and that led to Fortis being accused of favouring England at best and having a colonial mindset towards the Indians at worst. The track that Fortis and his ground staff prepared, and maintained admirably in a Test that was frequently interrupted by rain, coughed up a thriller, though, with India winning it by just six runs – their lowest margin of victory by runs in Test cricket. 'Well, I was never the villain, I was made into one,' Fortis is quoted as saying by PTI. 'Hope you guys enjoyed the show and the atmosphere was like the IPL. It was a great game.' Indian head coaches Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak were asked by Fortis, through a messenger, to stay 2.5 metres away from the playing surface. He also shouted at the Indian support staff to not take a 'cooler' to the ground. Batting coach Kotak, who was close to the action and played the pacifier when an animated Gambhir was talking to Fortis, gave details about the net session altercation. 'When we went to see the pitch, we were asked by someone to keep a 2.5-metre distance. This was surprising. The Test would be in a few days and we were wearing joggers. So it felt a bit odd. We all have been on the ground enough, we have played so much cricket. Curators are possessive about the ground and the square but they need to understand that they are speaking to highly skilled and intelligent people.' Kotak said.
India.com
5 hours ago
- India.com
Cricket Australia Considers Private Investment For Big Bash League, Maintains Commitment To Test Traditions
In a significant development aimed at revamping its domestic T20 competition, Cricket Australia (CA) has revealed that it is actively exploring private investment options for the Big Bash League (BBL). The move is part of a broader strategic plan to elevate the BBL's global stature and competitiveness, positioning it just behind the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of talent, investment, and reach. BBL Set for Structural Evolution According to reports, CA has engaged with global consultancy firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to evaluate the potential of bringing in external equity partners. BCG's recommendations include offering alternative ownership models, expanding the league, increasing player salaries, and realigning the BBL calendar to attract higher-quality international talent. CA Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg confirmed that while no final decision has been made, the organization is committed to examining every option to ensure the long-term growth and financial health of the competition. 'We are unashamedly aiming to make the BBL the second-best T20 league in the world,' Greenberg said. 'This review is not reactive but proactive. If investment can help us deliver more value to fans, players, and the wider cricket community, we must explore it.' Balancing Innovation with Tradition Despite this progressive shift in the T20 format, CA has strongly reiterated its commitment to preserving the traditions of Test cricket, including iconic events like the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year's Test at the SCG. Greenberg emphasized that any strategic partnership or private equity involvement in the BBL would not impact the structure, scheduling, or heritage of the longer format. 'The traditions of Test cricket are sacred. We're not looking to compromise the essence of the game while modernizing parts of it,' he added. This stance has been welcomed by traditionalists and former players who feared commercialization could erode the purity of Test cricket. A Divided Debate The idea of privatizing BBL teams has sparked mixed reactions. Proponents argue that private investment could infuse much-needed capital, professional expertise, and marketing strength, similar to what transformed the IPL into a global cricketing juggernaut. Conversely, critics caution against relinquishing control to private owners, citing risks like loss of governance, deviation from cricket's grassroots ethos, and a shift toward prioritizing profit over player and fan interest. Former Australian cricketer and commentator Simon Katich expressed cautious optimism, stating that if managed transparently, private investment could help the BBL regain its lost shine and attract top-tier players.
