One of the greatest T20 players of all time Chris Gayle was left ‘disappointed’ in the manner his former Punjab Kings got rid of its last year’s captain Mayank Agarwal, commenting that the franchise has a tendency to chop and change at ‘ridiculous levels’. Mayank, who had sacrificed his opening position to accommodate Jonny Bairstow at the top alongside Shikhar Dhawan midway into the IPL, was released by Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL auction.


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Mayank, who had been a consistent performer for the team, couldn't live up to the expectations last season as a batter scoring 196 runs in 13 games. Eventually, Punjab finished sixth for the fourth straight season highlighting their inconsistency. They are yet to win the IPL title as well, having reached final only once in 2014.


Speaking to news agency PTI, Gayle said Agarwal was not treated properly by the franchise and expects a big payday for him at the IPL 2023 mini auction on Friday (December 23). “Mayank will definitely get picked. I would be very disappointed if he doesn't. Because he is such an explosive player. He has probably hurt within himself at not being retained by Punjab after what he sacrificed for the franchise and to be treated like that is disappointing but I hope teams still believe in him and give him good money. He is a fantastic team man as well,” said Gayle in an interaction arranged by Jio Cinema ahead of IPL auctions.



Gayle is a part of JioCinema’s expert panel for the IPL Player Auction. Punjab is among the host of IPL teams the 43-year-old Gayle has played for. He has started with KKR while best years were with RCB and then also represented Punjab Kings.


Gayle said an unsettled playing eleven has contributed to Punjab’s inconsistency over the years. “They chop and change man, it is ridiculous. You keep chopping and changing, they never have a set eleven whether you win a match. Sometimes they would go with the same team but so often players don’t feel comfortable (with too much changes). When they do get a chance and IPL is already pressure, so (with that sort of approach) you end putting more excessive pressure and with that you won’t see them flourishing within the game.”


‘Sam Curran go could go for record breaking money’


Gayle feels young England all-rounder might become the most expensive player to be bought in auction history. Now retired Chris Morris is the most expensive player till date with the Rs 16.25 crore he fetched in 2021. Ben Stokes, Cameron Green and Agarwal could also attract million dollar deals.


“I don’t know why they are calling those names just give me the money man (laughs),” said Gayle in his inimitable style. “I am going be pick Sam (out of all). He is young and IPL tends to look to the future and you have to look at availability. He has had a good run of late. Stokes played well in the World Cup final. It is a possibility there will be some record breaking deal tomorrow. Don’t be surprised if someone goes over the 16 or 17 crore barrier.”