West Indies vs England 2019: Chris Gayle becomes leading run-scorer for West Indies in T20Is

After a record breaking ODI series, Chris Gayle has started the T20I series by breaking another record as he has become the leading run scorer for West Indies in T20Is. The explosive left-handed batsman needed 5 runs to break the record before the first T20I match against England at St. Lucia, and got there in one strike.

Gayle scored 15 off 12 balls to surpass Marlon Samuels, who was the previous holder of the record. Samuels has so far scored 1611 runs from 67 matches (65 innings) with a best score 89 not out.

Gayle has now scored 1622 runs from 57 matches (53 innings).

Gayle made his debut for West Indies in 2006 against New Zealand. Till date, he has two centuries and 13 half-centuries to his name. He is also the first player to hit 100 T20I sixes. With a strike rate of 142.90, Gayle plays with a fearless attitude and makes an instant impact on the match.

His ability to smash the bowlers right from the word go makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the T20I format. But he couldn't quite get going in the first T20I match against England as he was dismissed by Chris Jordan after hitting just two sixes. West Indies ended up losing the match by four wickets.

Gayle was a part of the team which won the World T20 in 2012. He has smashed 137 fours and 105 sixes so far in his T20I career for West Indies. It goes without saying that he can destroy any bowling attack on his day.

In March 2016, Gayle became the second batsman in T20I cricket after Brendon McCullum to score two T20I centuries. The explosive left handed is the leading six hitter in T20I cricket with 105 sixes, and holds the record of the highest opening stand in World T20 history - 145 runs - with Devon Smith.

Gayle became the first batsman to score a century in T20I cricket during the 2007 World T20 held in South Africa. He is the only player to hit two centuries in the World T20 tournament.

The explosive left-handed batsmen has had the experience of playing for various franchises in IPL right since 2008. He has played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, and will be playing for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2019.

Gayle has also featured in PSL, CPL, BBL, BPL and various other T20 leagues in the world. In the remaining two T20I matches against England, Gayle would be looking to create an impact and help West Indies win the series.