Punjab Kings player Chris Gayle has decided to pull out of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 due to “bubble fatigue”, his team said in a statement on Thursday. Gayle, who has played two games for his side since the resumption of IPL 2021 in the UAE, wants to refresh before the start of T20 World Cup later this month. 

In a statement, Gayle said that staying in a protected environment has taken a toll on him.

“Over the last few months, I have been a part of the CWI bubble, CPL bubble followed by the IPL bubble, and I wish to mentally recharge and refresh myself,” said Gayle in a statement issued by Punjab Kings.

“I want to refocus on helping the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and would like to take a break in Dubai. My thanks to the Punjab Kings for giving me the time off. My wishes and hopes are with the squad always. All the very best for the games coming up,” he added. 

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Anil Kumble, the head coach of Punjab Kings, said the team respects Gayle’s decision.

“I’ve played against Chris and have coached him at Punjab Kings and all through the years I’ve known him he has always been an absolute professional and we as a team respect his decision and desire to prepare himself for the T20 World Cup,” said Kumble.

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The West Indian is likely to remain in Dubai before joining the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup.

Gayle is not the first player to pull of IPL 2021. Dawid Malan, Chris Woakes and Jonny Bairstow decided to skip the league due to personal reasons while Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler also decided to pull out of the tournament due to various reasons.