Chris Gayle backs fearless approach of new-age batters

West Indies legend Chris Gayle hailed the fearless approach of modern batters, saying their aggressive mindset has positively revolutionised cricket. Former all-rounder Dwayne Bravo backed the view, urging bowlers to innovate and improve as scoring rates continue to rise

Sharjah: Celebrating the fearless, high-risk approach adopted by modern young batters, legendary West Indies opener Chris Gayle said the relentless mindset of the new generation has positively revolutionised modern cricket, with scoring rates and power-hitting continuing to rise.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Gayle, 47, welcomed the changing patterns of the game worldwide, with batters taking on bowlers from the first ball without inhibition.

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“I am happy that batters are now breaking records and not the bowlers. The reason for this is that our youngsters are playing fearless cricket these days. They attack from one ball. The players play with no fear or favour,” Gayle said during an interaction with Cricketaaa.

Gayle, known as the ‘Universe Boss’, said a key shift in the mindset of players had changed the way white-ball cricket is played globally.

“The game has changed. Players have changed. The batters are now hungry to score and they play fearless cricket from the very first ball. They are endlessly fearless, and that is good for the game,” he opined.

Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo offered a bowler’s perspective on the changing equation of the game and said that while explosive batting had done wonders for the sport, bowlers needed to improve if they wanted to keep pace with the new era.

“I see the way batting is happening across the world, and I’m glad my playing days are over. The skills of the batters have improved tremendously. Now, the bowlers have to enhance and innovate to keep up with the advancements in the game.

“They have to significantly upskill to keep pace with the changes happening in world cricket,” Bravo said, adding that 400- and even 500-run totals would no longer be a surprise in ODIs.

“I had my time and the game is changing. It is heading towards an uphill tempo, and that is good for the game. But the bowlers have to improve and innovate,” he added.

Elaborating on the changing face of cricket and the significant role of power-hitting in revolutionising the game, Ajay Sethi, owner of the West Indies Champions, said what stars such as Gayle and Bravo had initiated as a phenomenon of explosive batting had now become a global trend.

“What West Indies started as a phenomenon of explosive batting is now a global trend. The fearless approach and attacking mindset that became synonymous with West Indies cricket are now being replicated across the world,” he said.