Over the past few weeks my Facebook page is flooded with comments about RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) looking more like GCB ( Gayle Challengers Bangalore), more comments about how RCB is a one man show, more and more comments about how dependent RCB is on Gayle. To say the least I am sick of it, and I am going to set this straight once and for all.
First lets talk about Christopher Gayle. As we all know, he is a big hard hitting batsman from Kingston, who is also a useful part-time off-spinner. This year before the IPL Chris Gayle has not been impressive, his highest score this year has been against the Netherlands where he scored 80 off 100 balls and this was on 28th February 2011. Fast-forward a couple of months, he is smashing the ball left right and center. It makes you wonder, whats with this guy??
It seems just like yesterday when he was struggling to score at more than a run a ball in the same conditions where he is today going at a strike rate of close to 160. What has changed?? The weather in India is pretty much the same. The grounds haven't changed much. So what's changed? The answer is the team.
Let me be honest Gayle for West Indies has sucked but for RCB plays like a man possessed, it makes you wonder how much of the team affects one's performance. Gayle has taken to RCB like a fish to water, he has made some good buddies in Kohli who do the Choo-Choo train together,gets along well with DeVilliers (heard they are booze buddies) and gels along very well with the entire RCB team. But when he plays for West Indies there is controversy after controversy ergo his performance for the West Indies.
Critics of Gayle and RCB, the performance of an individual largely depends on the rapport he shares with his team. RCB as a team have given Gayle the environment he likes to be in and his performances are there for everyone to see.
Go on RCB. Bring the cup to Bangalore.
Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno (All for one and one for all)
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