Wanted to celebrate like Cristiano Ronaldo if I scored a hundred: Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

West Indies and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) talisman Chris Gayle’s dazzling innings of 117 off 57 balls, which included 7 fours and 12 sixes, against Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) bristled with some brutal strokeplay that left the Punjab bowlers hapless, but it was arguably his celebration upon reaching the three-figure mark that was the highlight of his innings.

Gayle scored his 14th hundred in T20 cricket in just 46 balls in the 14th over of the RCB innings and imitated star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration upon doing so. He had been rested for Bangalore’s previous game against Chennai Super Kings, and Gayle showed exactly what they were missing in that game as he helped RCB post a colossal 226 for 3 from 20 overs, which eventually proved to be way too good for the Kings XI Punjab.

"I missed the last game, spent the day in bed, so I was fresh. I'm a Cristiano Ronaldo fan and I told them if I got a hundred, I'd celebrate like him,” Gayle said.

"I appreciate the support on twitter. Good guys and friends. It was a fantastic wicket. They bowled really well, until the 14th over, they bowled some good yorkers. I thought they pulled it back.”

Gayle added that he was pleased to contribute to the team’s cause and also entertain the Bangalore fans, who have actually been deprived of seeing the Jamaican at his rampant best in the recent past.

"I am really happy to get a hundred and give the team that kind of start and I'm really glad I entertained the fans," he added.

As far as his patchy form before yesterday was concerned, Gayle acknowledged that his back injury and hectic travel demands had not made it easy for him but now hopes to carry on his good run for the remainder of the IPL.