West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle is predicted to replace Australia Glenn Maxwell in the King XI Punjab line-up for the upcoming match-up against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday.
The 41-year-old big hitter had been expected to come into the line-up on Thursday, for the first time this season, but was forced to watch from the sideline after battling with a bout of food poisoning. The team plummeted to a 5th loss of the season, from its first six games.
Frustration has grown with Maxwell as the all-rounder has managed just 48 runs in six matches. It was hoped the player would replicate his heroics from the previous edition but another low score on Thursday has put his place in jeopardy.
"The message was very clear that they were not happy with Maxwell. It’s a clear statement if Chris Gayle walks in, Maxwell walks out," Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha told Sports Today.
Ojha believes the team’s batting struggles have also impacted KL Rahul who he does not believe is playing like his usual self. Ojha believes the issue is the burden of supporting what has proven to be a rather fragile middle-order.
. “I think he was just trying to play because he knew that the middle order is not doing well, that pressure and this game you know when you have over 200 runs to chase, any batsman would feel the pressure. And Rahul knows that if he and Mayank don’t do well, they have a fragile middle order. Anil Kumble mentioned Chris Gayle, they wanted him to play but he was not well.”