Veteran West Indies opener Chris Gayle and Indian batsman Virat Kohli have maintained a good friendship over the years. The duo have spent a lot of time together at Royal Challengers Bangalore and are dear friends off the field.
Kohli, who is currently the leading run-scorer in the cash-rich league, has scored 7,263 runs in 229 games. On the other hand, Gayle holds the record for highest individual score in the Indian Premier League as he scored 175* runs against Pune Warriors India in the 2013 edition of the tournament.
While speaking to Star Sports, Chris Gayle spoke about her bond with Virat Kohli. Gayle revealed that the duo have a great relationship on and off the field. Gayle added that they also have some notable partnerships including some booths with over a hundred stalls.
Chris Gayle claimed that he was the one who used to chase bowlers from the first ball, while Virat Kohli used to take his time and build his innings. Gayle shared his views on the year 2016 when Kohli became the tournament’s leading run-scorer and scored 973 runs with 4 hundreds.
Chris Gayle showers love on Virat Kohli
Chris Gayle said: “We had a good relationship, we had a great relationship both on and off the field. We have some very prominent partnerships in between. We open the batting together and have a couple of hundred-run partnerships. I was practically the guy who shot from ball 1, he took his time to build his innings. I remember he had that fantastic run in 2016, he scored more than 900 runs, four centuries in the IPL as well.”
Chris Gayle further added that 2017 was the last year for him with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and he couldn’t fit into the ridiculous team. However, Gayle further added that he had great moments with Virat Kohli. The duo shared great moments of dancing together and thinks he’s a great guy.
Chris Gayle said: “So that was fantastic. And I think that year was practically my last year with RCB. But that year was a special year for me because that is the year my daughter was born, I had to leave IPL and then I came back home to see the birth of my daughter, my daughter at that time. And then I came back to the RCB team and I just couldn’t find myself back in the team, which was very ridiculous being one of the best foreign players and I just couldn’t find a way to get back into the RCB team. But Kohli also had great moments off the field.”
“Some dance moves, a signature encounter, but it was a lot of fun. The after parties upstairs at the hotel at that particular time were very good camaraderie and were just one of those times where we treasured those memories. Those memories will truly live on forever. And like I said, a great guy too.”
Virat Kohli will be seen in action in the Indian Premier League 2024 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.