KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2021 Match 45: Why is Chris Gayle Not Playing Today?

Chris Gayle not playing in KKR vs PBKS: Veteran big-hitting batsman Chris Gayle is not playing today’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 match for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This is the 45th match in the ongoing edition of the tournament that is scheduled to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Why is Chris Gayle Not Playing Today?

The Punjab Kings had already released an official statement before today’s match that Chris Gayle has left the IPL 2021 bio-bubble in order to keep himself mentally fresh for this year’s ICC T20 World Cup. Gayle had himself expressed his desire for a break to the Punjab Kings franchise and thus, he won’t be available for the remainder of the tournament.

? UPDATE ?

Chris Gayle will not be a part of the PBKS squad for the remainder of #IPL2021! #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/vHfyEeMOOJ

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) September 30, 2021

“Chris Gayle will be leaving the IPL bio-bubble due to bubble fatigue. Having been a part of the CPL bubble and then the IPL bubble he expressed a desire to mentally refresh himself in Dubai before representing the West Indies in the T20 World Cup,” said the statement released by Punjab Kings.

“Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself. I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai,” Gayle was quoted as saying in a Punjab Kings release.

“My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the games coming up,” he added.

KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2021 Match 45

The Punjab Kings have made as many as three changes to their playing XI from the previous game as the trio of Fabian Allen, Shahrukh Khan and Mayank Agarwal have been included in place of Chris Gayle, Harpreet Brar and Mandeep Singh. On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders have brought in the duo of Tim Seifert and Shivam Mavi in place of Lockie Ferguson and Sandeep Warrier.

Kolkata Knight Riders Playing 11: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan(c), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(w), Tim Seifert, Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi, Tim Southee, Varun Chakravarthy.

Punjab Kings Playing 11: KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.

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