Kings XI Punjab’s Chris Gayle has made a mark for himself as one of the most effective and aggressive players to ever play the game thanks to his dominating performances with the bat. But while playing for the Vancouver Knights in the final of the Global T20 2018, Canada, he showed what a force he is in the field as well.
The ‘Universe Boss’ was fielding at first slip with West Indies B on 105 for 6 when Kavem Hodge, batting on 14, pushed at a Fawad Ahmed ball outside off stump. Gayle misjudged the ball initially and moved to his right and the edge took him by surprise. But the ever-prepared Gayle dove one-handed to his left once he saw the ball. It was coming too fast though and he could wrap his hand around it, bobbing it into the air instead. It looked like Hodge was safe but what the KXIP sher did next stunned the crowd.
With his back almost to the ball and his left elbow down to break his fall, Gayle threw out his right hand and snapped up the ball to complete an absolute gem. The batsman couldn’t believe it, and neither could the wicketkeeper, but the Universe Boss had struck again, truly cementing his place as one of the greatest entertainers in the game.
What a catch from the #UniverseBoss #MotivationMonday #6sInThe6ix @henrygayle pic.twitter.com/GhDmgWDFGi
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) July 16, 2018
His team, Vancouver Knights, won the game by 7 wickets and, consequently, the tournament as well, adding another feather in the cap of the Kings’ batting maestro.
This wasn’t the first time Gayle has pulled off such a screamer though. Kings XI Punjab fans will remember that he had earlier taken a similar diving catch against Rajasthan Royals in the slips to send back Ajinkya Rahane off the bowling of Axar Patel. Now after he has repeated his feat, KXIP fans will hope this superstar’s safe hands will help the team pouch the trophy next time around.