'Felt like I wasn't treated properly in the IPL': Chris Gayle hints at possible return in 2023

The 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle has claimed about not participating in the mega auction after feeling disrespected by franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He further hinted at a possible return in 2023. 

Gayle has taken a dig at IPL explaining why he had opted out of mega-auction ahead of the 2022 edition of the tournament.

Although the West Indian opener is no longer the force he once was, his absence was quite noticeable when players were auctioned off, this February.

Among overseas players, only David Warner and AB de Villiers have scored more runs in the competition than Gayle's 4,965 runs, which is the seventh-highest overall. 

Gayle had stints with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) before being released at the end of the 2021 season.

Due to bubble fatigue, he had to withdraw from the tournament's previous edition. It has now been revealed that the 42-year-old felt disrespected during his various stints in the competition - though he has refrained from going into detail - which led to him declining to participate in the auction.

"For the last couple of years, the way the IPL went about, I felt like I wasn't treated properly," Gayle shared with 'The Mirror'.

"So I thought 'okay, you (Gayle) didn't get the respect you deserved after you did so much for the sport and IPL'. So I said 'okay, that's it, I'm not going to bother to enter the draft,' so I left it as it is. There is always going to be life after cricket, so I'm just trying to adapt to normality," he explained. 

The Jamaican last featured in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he scored 241 runs in ten innings to help Fortune Barishal finish second in the tournament. 

At least two franchises reportedly wanted Gayle to put himself on the auction block. And it's clear that the left-hander believes he has unfinished business in the tournament without the need for an IPL title.

"Next year I'm coming back, they need me! I've represented three teams in the IPL, Kolkata, RCB and Punjab. Between RCB and Punjab, I would love to get a title, with one of those two teams. I had a great stint with RCB where I was more successful within the IPL, and Punjab, they've been good. I love to explore and I love challenges so let's see what happens." Gayle signed off.