Mumbai: West Indies all-rounder Chris Gayle will miss the next two IPL matches (against Mumbai Indian on April 20 and against Rising Pune Supergiants on April 22) for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League as he has flown back to Jamaica to be with his partner Natasha Berridge, who is expecting their first child.
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Sources close to RCB confirmed the news. “Chris flew back immediately after RCB’s last match (against Delhi Daredevils on April 17). We did not expect this. He got a call and flew back home,” the source said.
Gayle also wrote on his Instagram account to confirm the news, who many thought was just one of his usual funny statuses. “I’m on my way, Baby.”
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According to sources, the 36-year-old will join the RCB squad on April 25.
Gayle has failed to connect in this season of the IPL registering scores of just 0 and 1. However, RCB skipper Virat Kohli did not wish to press the panic button.
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"I am sure he will come good at some stage of the tournament. Probably, he may get a hundred for us when it's required the most. I am not too worried about Gayle, because the other guys are stepping up nicely. Cricket is all about grabbing the opportunity, if some others fail,” Kohli said, after RCB' seven-wicket loss to Delhi Daredevils in Bangalore on Sunday.
