Mon Sep 08 08:59:05 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Chris Gayle Claims “Disrespect” and “Depression” During Punjab Kings Stint**
**[City, Date]** – T20 cricket legend Chris Gayle has made shocking revelations about his time with the Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), claiming he felt “disrespected” and even experienced feelings of depression during his stint with the franchise.
In a recent interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Gayle, who played for the Kings from 2018 to 2021, scoring 1304 runs in 41 matches, detailed his disillusionment with the team’s management. “My IPL ended prematurely with Punjab. I was disrespected at Kings XI,” Gayle stated. “I felt I wasn’t treated properly as a senior who had done so much for the league and brought value. They treated me like a kid. For the first time in my life, I felt like getting into depression.”
Gayle specifically mentioned feeling hurt and disappointed by the franchise’s operations and his interactions with then-coach Anil Kumble, revealing he even broke down in tears while speaking to him.
The Universe Boss, known for his explosive batting and charismatic personality, also recounted an incident where then-captain KL Rahul attempted to convince him to stay with the team, assuring him of a spot in the next game. Gayle, however, had already made up his mind. “KL Rahul even called me saying, ‘Chris, stay, you’ll play the next game’. But I just said, ‘I wish you all the best’, and packed my bag, and walked out.”
Despite his impressive individual record against the Punjab Kings, scoring 797 runs in 16 innings, Gayle’s overall experience with the franchise appears to have left a lasting and negative impact on the veteran cricketer. The Punjab Kings have yet to release a statement in response to Gayle’s claims.
First Piper 