Chris Gayle, the explosive West Indian opener, is known for his thunderous batting and entertaining presence on and off the cricket field. While he has left cricket fans in awe with his remarkable skills, he has also stirred up controversies with his unfiltered comments and actions. In this listicle, we'll explore the top 10 controversies that have surrounded Chris Gayle throughout his career.
During the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Gayle was found in a hotel room with three British girls under suspicious circumstances. The incident raised eyebrows and led to a brief police inquiry. Fortunately for Gayle, his name was cleared when the West Indies team's bodyguard intervened.
In the Big Bash League in Australia, Chris Gayle faced backlash for making inappropriate remarks to TV presenter Mel McLaughlin. He said, "I score runs so that I get to talk to you and get to see you closely," which was widely criticized for its disrespectful tone.
During an IPL match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Mumbai Indians, Gayle engaged in a heated argument with fellow West Indian cricketer Kieron Pollard. Their exchange escalated, but the umpires managed to defuse the situation, with Pollard taping his mouth in frustration.
Gayle made headlines when he requested a strip dance from model and actress Sherlyn Chopra during a party. Sherlyn later revealed that Gayle had also expressed a desire to date her, making the incident even more controversial.
Adding to his controversial social media posts, Gayle shared a picture of a homemade "stripping club" on social media with a caption that read, "If you don't have a stripping club in your house, you are not a player." This post raised eyebrows and attracted mixed reactions.
Gayle, who had been a prominent player for RCB, expressed his disappointment when the franchise released him without proper communication ahead of the 2018 IPL auction. He also criticized the Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) for frequently changing their squad, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and trust in a team.
Gayle accused his former West Indies teammate Ramnaresh Sarwan of having a role in his release from the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He went on to call Sarwan "worse than the Coronavirus," leading to a public feud between the two players.
During an interview with Times journalist Charlotte Edwardes, Gayle was alleged to have asked provocative and sexist questions, creating a controversy. His behaviour drew criticism from the public, and it raised questions about his conduct as a cricketer.
In another incident, during the Big Bash League (BBL) while playing for the Melbourne Renegades, Gayle flirted with Mel Jones on air. He made inappropriate remarks that were widely condemned, and it led to concerns about his conduct in the league.
Chris Gayle has faced multiple sexism controversies, including inappropriate comments and advances towards women, both on and off the field. These controversies have often overshadowed his cricketing achievements and tarnished his public image.