Gayle, box-office on and off the field

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CMC) – With Chris Gayle in the house, there is always entertainment.
The big Jamaican power-hitter is ‘box office’ on the cricket field with his immense ability to blast sixes to all part of any cricket ground in the world. Off the field, he also offers great entertainment value with his often humorous, impromptu remarks, and accompanying characteristic big broad smile.Take for example: Monday’s Open Media Session at the team hotel in Dhaka. Gayle held court for 20 minutes as over 50 members of the print and broadcast media jostled for positions to hear his views on the upcoming ICC World T20 tournament.
When asked about the West Indies spin bowling options at the tournament, reporters expecting to hear an assessment of off-spinner Sunil Narine and leg-spinner Samuel Badree were left in stitches.
“Talking about my spin bowling? I’m the best spinner in the world, man. Narine is great and Badree is also great but I’m the leading spinner in the team,” Gayle quipped.
“Come to our matches and you will see,” added Gayle as the room burst into laughter. “And you know what? I bat right-handed these days, done with batting left-handed.”
Gayle continued to work his audience as he pretended to make light of a question on Bangladeshi off-spinner Shohag Gazi with a dry reply of: “Who’s that?”
“The same guy I whacked for a six off his first delivery in Test cricket? He’s in the history books, I made him famous!”
Much to the delight of reporters, Gayle persisted down the light-hearted road for a bit before getting back to business.
“He is a good young man, good prospect for Bangladesh cricket,” Gayle said of Gazi.
To close out the media session, Gayle proceeded to give a 15-second demonstration of the energetic Gangnam-Style dance moves he made popular among cricket fans worldwide in 2012 when the West Indies won the ICC World T20 title for the first time.
Gayle and West Indies are in Bangladesh to defend the title.