‘ Universe Boss’ Gayle’s heart beats for India
Cricket is not the only thing that occupies Christopher Henry Gayle’s mind. The 38year- old is known as much for his flamboyance and flair as he is for his powerful cricket strokes.
Call him the ‘ Universe Boss’, his self proclaimed name for himself, or a smiling assassin, Gayle almost always manages to stay in the limelight — be it his exuberant innings that blow opponents away or his calm and cool demeanour.
As a cricketer, one gets to cover the length and breadth of the globe and the West Indian cricketer finds his heart in India. It is here that he has registered some of his memorable knocks, made lasting friendships and has managed to find a massive fan base.
If hometown Jamaica loves Gayle, India dotes on him. And Gayle knows that well!
Ask him what keeps bringing him back to the country, and Gayle says with a nonchalant smile, “My heart is here”.
“I love keep coming back to India,” he says. “I travelled a lot here and I cannot choose a single city as my favourite… I just love this country. I get tremendous love and affection from the people here.”
Be it his association with the Indian Premier League side Royal Bangalore Challengers or his off- field activities like fishing in Kerala backwaters, Gayle has plenty to do here.
The big- hitter says his mantra is to “take life as it comes”.
“I do not plan or ponder much about future. I enjoy life as it comes and that keeps me going.”
The cricketer was in the news recently when he appeared in a video, shaking a leg with Haryana singer Sapna Chaudhary.
“It was great fun,” he says.
Apart from travelling, Gayle also plays poker. “Virat Kohli introduced me to the game and I played with Shane Warne as well. He is a pro in poker and it is good fun. We have a lot of chit- chat over the game,” says Gayle, who loves to gorge on Mumbai’s famous vada pao.
Fishing is another activity on Gayle’s mind during his India visits. Earlier this year, Gayle along with his wife, daughter and mother- inlaw went fishing in the backwaters of Kollam, Kerala.
“I love spending time with my family. I got them here and we spent time in Kerala. I went for fishing and I had a great time with my family,” the sturdy left- hander said.
He went for a joyride on a boat in the backwaters and also attended yoga classes, besides trying out Ayurveda massages. The southpaw also gorged on authentic Kerala dishes.