‘KL Rahul Called Me…’: Inside Chris Gayle’s Bitter PBKS Goodbye

Chris Gayle has opened up about the end of his IPL journey at Punjab Kings, saying he felt “disrespected” by the franchise and hurt enough to feel like he was slipping into depression. He recalled a tearful conversation with then–head coach Anil Kumble and a phone call from captain KL Rahul offering him a spot for the next game, which he declined before packing his bags. The revelations have stirred a wider chat about how big T20 teams treat veteran players in high-pressure seasons. For fans who watched the “Universe Boss” light up the IPL, the story lands with extra weight.

What Gayle says happened

Gayle described his final days at PBKS as the lowest point of his IPL career. He said he wasn’t treated with the respect due to a senior who had brought value to the league and the franchise, and that he was “treated like a kid.” The left-hander said he broke down while speaking to Kumble about leaving the bubble and the team, prioritising his mental health over pushing through. After his last outing that season, he said he thanked KL Rahul for the call, wished the group well, and walked away.

The timeline and the numbers

Gayle represented Punjab from 2018 to 2021, mostly at the top of the order. Across 41 matches, he scored 1,304 runs at an average of 40.75 and a strike rate of 148.65, with one century and eleven fifties; his highest was an unbeaten 104. Those returns explain why his criticism stings—he was still producing when the relationship frayed. Earlier, when he exited mid-season in 2021, the official line was bubble fatigue; his new account adds a layer fans had not heard before.

A bigger question for franchises

The story isn’t only about one player and one team—it’s about how high-stakes leagues treat ageing greats in transition. Veterans want clarity, dignity, and fair communication, even when roles change. Teams, fighting for results, sometimes miss the human side and lose a dressing-room pillar in the process. Gayle’s words also point to mental health in packed schedules, where weeks in bubbles and mixed messages can wear players down faster than any yorker.

KL Rahul, Kumble and the what-ifs

KL Rahul’s call, as Gayle tells it, was a last attempt to keep him in the XI for the next match. Kumble’s one-on-one chat was where the player finally broke, admitting he needed to step away. Would earlier, clearer conversations have kept the partnership intact? That’s hard to know. What is clear is that even the league’s biggest showmen carry private battles—and when they speak, it’s worth listening.

Why it still matters

Gayle remains one of the IPL’s defining stars, and his PBKS spell still holds strong innings and big nights. He even scored more runs against Punjab than any other team in his IPL career—one of the quirks that make this breakup feel sharper. His account is a reminder that trophies and tactics share space with trust and timing. When those go missing, even the biggest hitters can feel small.