4 batsmen who can become the next 'boss' of IPL after Chris Gayle

The IPL legend that is Chris Gayle, turning 39 this year, is at the fag end of his career. The Jamaican took IPL standards to another level and is known to be the most destructive and inarguably the greatest T20 batsman in the history of the game.

Gayle has set records for the fastest century reached across any format of the game, the highest individual score in a T20 match, and the most sixes scored in a single innings, all in the IPL. It was all witnessed in his knock of 175 runs, that came off just 66 balls, and made him an IPL icon.

It is considered next to impossible to even reach close to the benchmark that 'The Universal Boss' has set in the cash-rich league. But in the days to come, the following match-winners can set the tone to take his place as the next Boss.

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#4 Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn has been the centre of attention in T20 cricket for the past few years. The 27-year-old showcased the best of his talent while playing for Brisbane Heat in the BBL.

Despite making his IPL debut way back in 2012 for the Deccan Chargers, he came into the limelight only when he opened for KKR, giving them flying starts along with Sunil Narine in 2017, scoring 295 runs in 7 games.

The only drawback for the Australian is injuries. Broken finger in 2011, ruptured testicle in 2012, rotator cuff injury in 2014, the left shoulder injury in fielding drill 2015, left shoulder reconstruction surgery in 2017, calf injury in January 2018 and the latest, dislocated the right shoulder in February 2018.

If he manages to keep out of the harm's way, Lynn certainly has the potential to be the Boss.

T20 Career:

Inns - 96

Runs - 2890

SR - 148.35

HS - 101

#3 D'Arcy Short

In contrast to his last name, D'Arcy Short has set the reputation of striking long sixes, credit to his proficiency in generating immense bat speeds. He came into limelight in the BBL where he played for Hobart Hurricanes, finishing as the leading run-scorer in the season.

The 27-year-old earned a call-up to don the yellow jersey in a T20I tri-series, where he ended up being the third highest run-getter with 196 runs.

In a young T20 career of 25 matches, he has already hit 44 sixes in a bid to become the next big thing in IPL.

T20 Career:

Inns - 25

Runs - 966

SR - 150.70

HS - 122*

#2 Colin Munro

In search of a substitute for New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum, the side stumbled upon the flashy left-handed Colin Munro, who didn't dash their hopes as he went on to become the first ever batsman to score three centuries in T20 Internationals.

The 30-year-old is one of the 'impact' players at the top order, especially in the shortest format, playing for any T20 side around the world. He is one of the cleanest strikers of the cricket ball. Furthermore, having one of the most powerful forearms amongst the active cricketers that even make mistimed shots sail over, make him much more dangerous for the opposition.

T20 Career:

Inns - 148

Runs - 3712

SR - 148.89

HS - 109*

#1 Evin Lewis

Coming to the IPL, perhaps the only batsman who could be glorified as the batting-twin to Christopher Henry Gayle, is his Caribbean disciple Evin Lewis. The mighty left-hander is not too much different from his idol Chris Gayle, who likes to tear apart the opposition bowling-attack right from the word go.

As a matter of fact, the 26-year-old got lucky enough to open alongside "Universal Boss" in the Caribbean Premier League, only to make him play the second-fiddle in his 97-run knock off just 32 deliveries.

But to be hailed as the Boss in the cash-rich league, one has to perform up to that level, and Gayle himself won't mind his Caribbean-mate to take over his yard.

T20 Career:

Inns - 82

Runs - 2657

SR - 146.06

HS - 125*