Gayle – The Recurring Plunderer

Chris Gayle deserves all the kudos for joining the elite-300 club of cricketers to have scored a triple ton in a Test innings. Though the wicket at the Antigua Recreation Ground was even more placid than usual, still the balls had to be put away, and Gayle managed to do just that, in quick time - underlining his fitness. Over the past few seasons, he has been an unsung consistent performer in both the versions of the game for the otherwise lacklustre West Indies. He goes to show how sheer courage, a cool temperament and a good sense of timing can make up for a conspicuous lack of foot movement while facing the quickies. The modern cricketing fraternity seems to be characterised by the noticeable presence of such immensely useful no-nonsense players like Mohammad Kaif for India, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan for Pakistan, Hamish Marshall for New Zealand, Chris Gayle for the Windies, to name a few,- who are seldom under the spotlight and still go about their job with quiet confidence. They know the art of making best use of their talent and their sincerity and devotion towards their team's cause reap rich dividends, when the more flamboyant and hyped ones fail to deliver and live upto the expectations.