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Months Before Nasty PBKS Rift, Chris Gayle Sported Turban With RCB Jersey For IPL Final

Soumyajit Dutta

Chris Gayle donning the turban and RCB jersey [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Chris Gayle donning the turban and RCB jersey [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

Chris Gayle has been in the headlines again, this time not for his batting heroics but for his candid confession against his former IPL franchise, the Punjab Kings. The Universe Boss is quite open with his feelings, and his recent interaction and admission of treatment in PBKS were spilt in the open by the former West Indies cricketer.

Speaking on a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra as a guest, Chris Gayle shared how he was mistreated by the Punjab Kings. Gayle admitted that he went into depression and cried his heart out to Anil Kumble. To quote Gayle's words, he was "treated like a kid" in the franchise. However, his IPL 2025 final attire speaks of something else.

The Separation With Punjab In 2021

Chris Gayle, who played for RCB between 2011 and 2017, was nothing short of an entertainer of the game. Getting the best out of his bat, Gayle moved to the Punjab Kings in 2018 and had a stellar season. However, his last IPL season was in 2021, which, according to 45-year-old Gayle, ended 'prematurely'.

The 2021 season for Gayle was an absolute disaster, where he bagged only 193 runs from his 10 appearances at a strike rate of 125.32, something which he is not usually known for. However, as per his recent statement, Gayle was disappointed with how the franchise was run.

"I broke down talking to Anil Kumble because I was really hurt. I was disappointed with him and the way the franchise was run. KL Rahul even called me, saying, 'Chris, stay; you'll play the next game.' But I just said, 'I wish you all the best,' and packed my bag and walked out," Gayle said in the podcast.

When Gayle Enthusiastically Wanted To Support Punjab

The surprising fact is that Gayle, just a few months ahead of the podcast, cheered for Punjab Kings in the IPL Final 2025, where Rajat Patidar faced the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab unit. In the stands and during the commentary shows, Gayle was spotted wearing the colours of his former teams. He wore an RCB jersey while proudly carrying a red-coloured turban on his head, symbolising his support for Punjab.

When Shubhankar Mishra asked him about his appearance, asking to know the specific team he was supporting, Gayle admitted that it was his idea to support Punjab.

"I was very happy to see both the teams in the final, as none of the teams ever crossed the finishing line. I was invited by RCB to watch the final, but when I wore the RCB jersey, I was thinking that I would look weird if I stood only supporting one team. So I came up with the idea to wear a red turban," Gayle remarked.

Gayle's admission on Punjab Kings' management and his support for Punjab in the IPL 2025 final seem contradictory on the same podcast, but again, in Gayle's words, "It's only one universe, and I am the Universe Boss, so I guess you guys have to accept it."