<p>One is never short of entertainment when West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle is around. There is always a sort of infectious energy about him. Calling Bengaluru his second home, Chris says he comes here whenever he wants to relax and have a good time. The cricketer, who was in the city on behalf of IONA, took time off to speak to Nina C George about life outside the pitch and the precious moments with his daughter.<br /><br />How do you keep reinventing yourself?<br /><br />I don’t need to take any extra effort to reinvent myself and that’s precisely why people gravitate towards me. My energy comes from being myself. I don’t try to put on a show. I also think that my energy comes from my mother. She’s full of life and I think that has rubbed off on me.<br /><br />How is fatherhood?<br /><br />My daughter is now 15 months old and it is fun being around her. It is heartbreaking whenever I have to leave her behind and travel out. We always talk to each through Skype, but it is nothing like being with her and holding her.<br /><br />What do you shop for your daughter when you travel?<br /><br />Actually, I don’t do too much shopping for her. I am sure as she gets older (and I can wait for those moments), she can pick up whatever she wants. There are some fun interactions between me and my daughter.<br /><br />What do you do when you are not playing cricket?<br /><br />I believe that there’s no better therapy than sleeping.<br /><br />Are you choosy about which brand you associate with?<br /><br />I only choose brands that match my taste. I sign on the dotted line only if I strike the right connection and have a chemistry with it.<br /><br />What helps you strike the right note with the pitch?<br /><br />My smile.<br /><br />How do you handle criticism?<br /><br />I try to turn all negativity into positivity. There’s really no life without criticism and one is always walking a tricky path. But one has to stand one’s ground and stay strong.<br /><br />What do you do when you are in Bengaluru?<br /><br />I know a lot of people here and sometimes, I get invited to their homes. I <br />have been coming here for more than five years now and I’ve made some good friends in the process. I also have my favourite spots here.<br /><br />Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?<br /><br />I would still be around playing active cricket.</p>
<p>One is never short of entertainment when West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle is around. There is always a sort of infectious energy about him. Calling Bengaluru his second home, Chris says he comes here whenever he wants to relax and have a good time. The cricketer, who was in the city on behalf of IONA, took time off to speak to Nina C George about life outside the pitch and the precious moments with his daughter.<br /><br />How do you keep reinventing yourself?<br /><br />I don’t need to take any extra effort to reinvent myself and that’s precisely why people gravitate towards me. My energy comes from being myself. I don’t try to put on a show. I also think that my energy comes from my mother. She’s full of life and I think that has rubbed off on me.<br /><br />How is fatherhood?<br /><br />My daughter is now 15 months old and it is fun being around her. It is heartbreaking whenever I have to leave her behind and travel out. We always talk to each through Skype, but it is nothing like being with her and holding her.<br /><br />What do you shop for your daughter when you travel?<br /><br />Actually, I don’t do too much shopping for her. I am sure as she gets older (and I can wait for those moments), she can pick up whatever she wants. There are some fun interactions between me and my daughter.<br /><br />What do you do when you are not playing cricket?<br /><br />I believe that there’s no better therapy than sleeping.<br /><br />Are you choosy about which brand you associate with?<br /><br />I only choose brands that match my taste. I sign on the dotted line only if I strike the right connection and have a chemistry with it.<br /><br />What helps you strike the right note with the pitch?<br /><br />My smile.<br /><br />How do you handle criticism?<br /><br />I try to turn all negativity into positivity. There’s really no life without criticism and one is always walking a tricky path. But one has to stand one’s ground and stay strong.<br /><br />What do you do when you are in Bengaluru?<br /><br />I know a lot of people here and sometimes, I get invited to their homes. I <br />have been coming here for more than five years now and I’ve made some good friends in the process. I also have my favourite spots here.<br /><br />Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?<br /><br />I would still be around playing active cricket.</p>