But when it comes to his fielding, there is a lot to be desired. With advancing years, Chris Gayle’s athleticism, and subsequently his fielding ability, have taken a hit.
With the game played at a breakneck pace, many feel Chris Gayle is a liability on the field. Despite having a safe pair of hands, his ground fielding leaves a lot to be desired, as the heavily-built Gayle is not as flexible as he was before.
When fielding coach Jonty Rhodes took charge of the Punjab Kings last season, the South African admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect from Chris Gayle. In this regard, while answering a question from Sportskeeda at an online interaction on Thursday, Rhodes said he talked with other coaches about Chris Gayle.
The epitome of fielding brilliance, Jonty Rhodes has become synonymous with diving around and securing direct hits. Looking back at last year, the South African maestro conceded Chris Gayle had impressed him during IPL 2020.
What Chris Gayle lacks in terms of guile, he makes it up with presence. Always an entertainer, there is never a dull moment when the big West Indian is around. Jonty Rhodes was wise enough to use Chris Gayle’s charisma as a means to motivate the players around him.
Chris Gayle’s calm demeanor often rubs off the wrong way, with many calling the West Indian lazy on occasions. But Jonty Rhodes doesn’t agree with the assessment, saying Chris Gayle is someone who always gives his 100%.
How Jonty Rhodes coached Chris Gayle in 2020
T20 cricket and fielding, in general, are seeing a proliferation of analytics. Broadcasters are quick to point out runs saved or catches dropped by a fielding side, with a tournament leader board in place to classify teams based on their fielding ability.
With every run akin to gold, fielding is seen as a way to stop the flow of runs or conjure a moment of brilliance to break the opposition’s momentum. Talking about Chris Gayle the fielder, Jonty Rhodes expounded how the West Indian didn’t concede a single run last season.
Chris Gayle can be seen in a handful of positions when he is fielding. At the start of the innings, he is at first slip before moving to short fine leg or third man. Many feel Chris Gayle is placed at third man because the position doesn’t require him to run too much.
Jonty Rhodes, however, has a different take. Admitting that expecting Chris Gayle to dive is too big an ask, the fielding coach discussed how he tries to get the best out of Gayle while fielding.
One of the biggest personalities in world cricket, Chris Gayle, is impossible to miss on the field. He continues to defy his age, with his antics consistently making the highlights reel. It is this presence, combined with a slight tactical tweak, that helped Punjab Kings taper over Chris Gayle’s deficiencies last season.
Jonty Rhodes admitted that he is in awe of the talismanic superstar. He praised Chris Gayle, revealing how he also helps the younger players up their games as well.
After a season that saw him score 288 runs in seven games, Chris Gayle is set to be part of the Punjab Kings’ top order once again. With his new-found fielding prowess, Gayle is ready to amaze the world in IPL 2021.
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