'It was the perfect start'

It was as though the left-hander was giving vent to all his pent-up frustrations as he reduced the Kolkata Knight Riders’ attack to pulp with his stunning assault that put his new team Royal Challengers Bangalore back in reckoning. Having regained his exalted position, Gayle now appears to be at peace with himself.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start,” Gayle noted when asked about his 55-ball 102 in Kolkata. “It was the first game I got and I enjoyed it a lot. So far it has been a brilliant experience. The hospitality has been good and the guys have been really good to me. Hopefully, I can carry on the good work and get a few more wins under our belt,” he explained.

The big-hitting West Indian was understandably disappointed when no IPL franchise showed any interest in buying him during the auction. “Yeah it was a bit surprising,” he remarked about the snub. “But to my knowledge – and this is what I have been told -- what turned out to be the reason was the international cricket in that particular time clashing with the IPL. West Indies’ international cricket will finish in two weeks’ time and franchises didn’t really see any sense in picking me at that time,” he offered.

Obviously, the expectations from the southpaw will be high but given his mind-set, it’s unlikely he will be bogged down by the pressure. “I am not worried about the expectations... Whenever I play a game, I give it my all whether it comes off well or not,” he pointed out. “The thing for me is to be in the right frame of mind and try and do as much as possible. I had a great start but there is no pressure as such. I am just going to go out there and enjoy each moment whether it’s batting, bowling or on the field. Expectations will be there but I am clear in my mind right from the first ball I face,” he reasoned.

Clarity of mind and the understanding of his own game is indeed Gayle’s strength. “The type of player that I am, I can go early or I can win the match for the team. From a personal point of view it’s more in the mind. It’s more of a momentum thing... At times it’s difficult (playing strokes at will) but you still have to give yourself a chance.”

The former West Indian captain has also been accused of being too carefree but the opener feels he is misunderstood a lot. “If I may use the word, I may look a bit laidback but the intensity within me is always high. That’s how I am and that’s how I get going. I want my mind to be as much relaxed as possible for me to perform better,” he said. Gayle also joined the increasing chorus of window-for-IPL. “IPL and ICC should sit down and have window for it (IPL) just like you have for the World Cup. All the controversies and confusion will be solved. Just clear the air.”