Chris Gayle,
arguably the greatest-ever batsman in the Twenty20 format, played what could be his final game for the West Indies in the eight-wicket loss against Australia as the defending champions bowed out of the T20 World Cup on Saturday. But the
42-year-old, who has not yet announced retirement from international duties, is
hoping for the perfect farewell in front of his home crowd in Jamaica.

Gayle and Dwayne
Bravo – who had earlier confirmed his retirement from international cricket – received
standing ovations and a guard of honour from their teammates as well as the Australian
players as the game ended on a emotional note for the Caribbean side.

However,
amid all the retirement speculations, Gayle has left the door wide open on his
future with the Windies.

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“It’s been
a phenomenal career. I didn’t announce any retirement but (if) they actually
give me one game in Jamaica to go in front of my home crowd, then I can say ‘hey
guys, thank you so much,’” Gayle said in a Facebook Live chat with ICC.

“Let’s see.
If not, I’ll announce it long time and then I’ll be joining DJ Bravo in the
backend and say thanks to each and everyone but I can’t say that as yet.”

The
Jamaican confirmed it was his last World Cup game. “I was just having some fun
today. Put everything that happened aside, I was just interacting with the fans
in the stand and just having some fun seeing as it’s going to be my last World
Cup game.”

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While joking
that he would love to play another World Cup, with the next edition of the T20
World Cup scheduled for next year, Gayle admitted “I don’t think they will
allow me”.

He also
said he was “gutted” for the fans as the defending champions crashed out of the
tournament with just one win from five games.

“It was a
pleasure always to represent West Indies, I’m very passionate about West
Indies. It really hurts bad when we lose games and we don’t get the result and
the fans (are) so (much) more very important to me because I’m an entertainer.
When I don’t get the chance to entertain them it really hurt me a lot. You
might not that see that expression, I might not show those sort of emotions,
but I’m gutted inside for the fans, and especially for this World Cup as well.”