'Bubble-weary' Chris Gayle pulls out of IPL

DUBAI - West Indies cricket star Chris Gayle has pulled out of the Indian Premier League with "bubble fatigue" and will instead focus on this month's T20 World Cup.

The big-hitting 42-year-old batsman played two out of three matches for
Punjab Kings since the big-bucks tournament resumed in the United Arab
Emirates last month.

   Gayle left the team hotel because of "bubble fatigue" accumulated over the
months playing franchise and international cricket during the coronavirus
pandemic, Kings said in a statement.

   Gayle said he wished to "mentally recharge and refresh myself".

   "I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and
would like to take a break in Dubai," he was quoted as saying in the
statement.

   On Wednesday, Gayle released the music video of his new single "Punjabi
Daddy" with the self-styled "Universe Boss" sporting traditional Indian dress
and shaking a leg to the catchy tune.

   Players in world cricket have often needed to restrict themselves to
strict bio-bubbles because of the coronavirus.

   They frequently have to stay within the confines of their team hotel and
often cannot mingle with anyone outside, even on non-match days.

   Some players have opted out, including Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and
David Warner pulling out of The Hundred tournament earlier this year.

   The IPL has also been hit by withdrawals, with Josh Hazlewood and Liam
Livingstone staying away over similar reasons.

   Kings head coach Anil Kumble said the team respected Gayle's decision and
"desire to prepare himself for the T20 World Cup" starting on October 17 in the UAE and Oman.

Punjab, who were due to play Kolkata Knight Riders later Friday, are sixth in the table in the eight-team IPL.

Gayle scored 193 runs from 10 matches this season at an average of 21.44.BSS/AFP