Gayle Talks About Life-Changing Heart Surgery At His Book Launch

“It (the autobiography) will be as entertaining as my batting,” he said.

Chris Gayle. (Photo: Reuters)

For the general public, Chris Gayle is a “happy go lucky” person but the flamboyant West Indian opener on Friday revealed that he decided to enjoy life only after he underwent a heart surgery in Australia way back in 2005.

Heart Surgery Was Life Changing: Gayle

During the West Indies tour to Australia in 2005, Gayle underwent an operation to repair a hole in his heart, a fact which is not known to all and revealed to his parents only after the prodecure. Following the surgery, he had to miss the third and final Test against Australia in Adelaide, but Gayle was a relieved man and by his own words he thereafter realised the importance of life.

Nobody knows that I was diagnosed with a hole in my heart in Australia, not even my parents. I was forced to undergo a surgery and I only informed my parents after the procedure. Back then, I realised the importance of life. It was a life changing moment for me. Thereafter I decided to enjoy my life to the fullest and I am still doing so. 

Chris Gayle, Former Captain, West Indies 

West Indian batsman Chris Gayle walks back after getting dismissed to Shane Watson of Australia in the 1st Test Match at Brisbane in 2005. (Photo: Reuters)

To the world he might come across as an open book who wants to enjoy every bit of his life but the swashbuckling left-hander said he has now matured as a person after becoming a father. “It’s definitely a new challenge to be a family man but I now can proudly say that I am a father of a beautiful daughter. It’s a different feeling altogether,” he said.

Sehwag, Thakur Applaud Gayle’s Popularity

Talking about his autobiography, Gayle said the book will give an insight to an altogether different side of his character.

While playing cricket and off the field I am doing a lot of entertainment but my book will give an insight into my life, my childhood, my struggle. Most people haven’t seen the other side of Chris Gayle. It will be as entertaining as my batting. It will bring the different side of Gayle.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag, who was also present on the occasion, termed Gayle as the “true ambassador of cricket”. “Chris Gayle is true entertainer on and off the field, a fun loving guy. He is the true ambassador of cricket,” he said.

Disclosing their conversations on the field, Sehwag said, “When we used to chat we used to discuss about hitting sixes and how to thrash bowling attacks, especially Australian bowlers.”

BCCI president Anurag Thakur (L), Virender Sehwag (M) and Chris Gayle (R) at Chris Gayle’s book launch in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

BCCI president Anurag Thakur, who was the chief guest of the evening, said Gayle is someone who transcended boundaries to make the game of cricket popular by his talent.

“Chris Gayle is more popular in Kanpur than Kingston, he is more popular in Jalandhnar than Jamaica. He has made the game popular and attracted youth to take up the bat,” Thakur said. “Players like Chris Gayle can melt boundaries and bring countries and cultures together,” he concluded.

(With inputs from PTI)