The legendary West Indies batter, Chris Gayle, turns 45 today on September 21, 2024. The Jamaican cricketer, who likes to refer to himself as the ‘Universe Boss’, is rather suitable given the way he has controlled bowlers during his international career and still does so in T20 leagues across the globe. 

Gayle is renowned for his extravagant lifestyle and love for parties. The cricketer holds multiple records and is well known for hammering the bowlers with his long sixes. Gayle is now playing in the ongoing Legends League Cricket (LLC).

Gayle had to go through a surgery after a hole in his heart was found; he described the process as a life-altering experience. After this, the southpaw prefers to live life to the fullest. 

Have a look at his cricketing records – 

  1. Gayle is the most experienced West Indian batter with 301 ODI matches. Brian Lara, who has played in 299 ODIs, is the second name on this list. The games in which he has represented ICC are also included in his caps.
  2. Though most people associate Gayle primarily with his batting and his ability to knock a six, the left-handed batsman has taken over 250 wickets in international cricket. The potent off-break right-arm bowler has amassed 167 wickets in ODI, 73 wickets in Test matches and 20 wickets in T20 Internationals.
  3. At Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2013, Chris Gayle delivered one of the most amazing and unforgettable knocks in history to the global audience. Gayle blasted a ridiculous 175 off 66 balls in the match against Pune Warriors India. Aaron Finch, the captain of PWI, won the toss and chose to field first earlier in the game. The ‘Universe Boss’ put up a spectacular display when RCB openers Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan took the pitch. 
  4. Gayle is one of the four hitters in the world to score two triple hundreds in Test matches, indicating that his ability to dominate the bowlers for extended periods of time comes from more than just physically overwhelming them. In Test cricket, the other three players to reach two triple hundreds are Don Bradman, Virender Sehwag and Brian Lara.
  5. Gayle’s record of 15 hundreds in Test cricket is more evidence of his versatility as a hitter. At an average of more than 40 in Test matches, he has amassed almost 7000 Test runs.
  6. With 240 international catches under his belt, Gayle is the only West Indian player with more international catches than Brian Lara, despite the fact that he may not be considered one of the fittest players. Over the years, he has made some incredible grabs, particularly in the ring. In the slips and in other catching positions, Gayle was frequently the captain’s first choice.
  7. In the first game of the 2007 T20 World Cup, Chris Gayle made cricket history by becoming the first player to score a century in T20 internationals.