Chris Gayle will bid adieu to One Day Internationals after the World Cup that begins late in May, calling curtains to a 20-year career that begin in 1999.

"I'll let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand and watch them have some fun," he reasoned.

"I'll be bringing some experience to play and sharing that with the youngsters and I hope to enjoy the next couple of months with the West Indies cricket team," he added.

"Winning the World Cup would be a fairy-tale finish. The youngsters owe it to me to win. They have to do that for me and try and get me the trophy. I'll be looking to put my input in as well."

The 39-year-old, who has amassed 9727 across 284 matches in the format, had announced his List A retirement in October. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs and has the second-most representation in the 50-over game for the Windies, both after Brian Lara.

As of now, Gayle holds the record for the most number of tons and the highest score for his country, with 23 and 215 respectively.

Gayle, who will play for Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming VIVO Indian Premier League, made his ODI debut against India in September 1999 in Toronto.