'Winning the World Cup would be a fairy-tale finish. The youngsters owe it to me to win. They have to do that for me and try and get me the trophy. I'll be looking to put my input in as well,' Chris Gayle said
Barbados: West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle has announced that he will retire from ODIs after the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.
The 39-year-old Gayle announced on Sunday that the World Cup starting in England on May 30 will be his last 50-over tournament.
"Yes, I'm looking to draw the line after the World Cup. Or should I say cut the string? Definitely, in 50-over cricket, the World Cup is the end for me. I'll let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand and watch them have some fun," the explosive opener said.
Also read: Gayle was framed? Australian court clears West Indian batsman of sexual harassment charges
"Winning the World Cup would be a fairy-tale finish. The youngsters owe it to me to win. They have to do that for me and try and get me the trophy. I'll be looking to put my input in as well," he added.
BREAKING NEWS - WINDIES batsman Chris Gayle has announced he will retire from One-day Internationals following the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 England & Wales. (More to come) pic.twitter.com/AXnS4umHw2
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket)Gayle, who made his ODI debut against India in Toronto on September 11, 1999, has so far featured in 284 games and has scored 9,727 runs at an average of 37.12. He has hit 23 hundreds and 49 fifties. He has also taken 165 wickets with his part-time off-spin.
He is the second highest run scorer for the Caribbean side after batting legend Brian Lara.
During the last World Cup (2015) in Australia and New Zealand, Gayle blasted his highest ODI score - 215 against Zimbabwe in Canberra.
Also read: Harbhajan reveals his 15-man India squad for World Cup
A self declared "Universe Boss", Gayle has also played 103 Tests and 56 T20Is for the Windies.
He anointed himself as the "greatest player in the world".
"I'm the greatest player in the world. Of course I'm still the Universe Boss. That will never change. I'll take that to the grave," he said.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.