Twitter reacts as Chris Gayle breathes fire in his possibly last ODI

It was a mayhem of all sorts in Trinidad, on Wednesday, as Christopher Henry Gayle breathed fire in the third ODI against India. The man from Jamaica took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners right from the word go and offered no respite to the visitors whatsoever. Treating each of the opposition's bowlers with disdain, Gayle lit up the stadium with some colossal strikes.

Donning a specially designed jersey, the big man looked on a mission as he assumed crease along with this opening partner Evin Lewis. The southpaw looked unstoppable as he amassed a quick-fire 41-ball-72. Smashing 8 fours and butchering 5 sixes, Gayle gathered 62 of his runs in just boundaries! It was not until Khaleel Ahmed and Virat Kohli joined hands in the 12th over that the Windies opener returned to the pavilion.

However, the activity following Gayle's dismissal drew everyone's eye. As soon as the West Indian was caught at mid-off by Virat Kohli, the Indian players ran towards the former to congratulate him. While the Indian skipper wished him with his typical jig, the likes of Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami exchanged hugs with Gayle. A special guard of honour from Team India and a standing ovation from the dressing room honoured Chris Gayle as he walked off the field, holding the bat with his helmet placed atop.

The gestures, expectedly, are being considered as possible signals that Gayle might have played his last ODI for West Indies. Gayle, who made his ODI debut in 1999, has shouldered the Caribbean side for about two glorious decades. Scoring 10552 runs in 301 One Day Internationals, the Jamaican stands tall as West Indies' highest run maker in the tournament.

Fondly renowned for his big-hitting abilities, Gayle enjoys a fan following across the globe. Watching the 39-year-old wield the bat in his possibly last innings, several fans and experts took to Twitter to share their memories of him.

Signs off in style. In his own inimitable style. Chris Gayle bossed in his last game too. #WIvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 14, 2019

So it seems this is it for the #UniverseBoss and a great entertainer. @henrygayle. And he played this innings just the way we will remember him. #ChrisGayle

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 14, 2019

I don't know if @henrygayle has done enough to win this match, but his contribution to WI - despite a long running feud — and international cricket is enormous all told

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 14, 2019

BREAKING: Universe Boss @henrygayle bows out from ODI cricket with a blistering 72 runs off 41 balls with 8 fours & 5 sixes.
That takes his total to a staggering 1128 fours & 331 sixes in 301 games.
What a legend - the greatest cricket entertainer of them all.
Thanks Boss. pic.twitter.com/N7nIvAldQA

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 14, 2019

It's just a heart breaking news 💔
You gave us many reasons to thank you..Many Reasons to remember you...Many reasons to cry for you on your retirement...
Hope You'll have a new happy life.@henrygayle #ThankYouGayle#gayle pic.twitter.com/YocSBD5ONM

— Nishita Sarma 🍁 (@MyLoveVirat18) August 14, 2019

Thanks you for all the entertainment and memories @henrygayle .
There will never be another Chris Gayle. End of an era. #chrisgayle #gayle pic.twitter.com/qzE7HWyTfY

— Karan Shukla (@1998Karan02) August 14, 2019

Chris Gayle, you legend! The #UniverseBoss was at his destructive best as he signed off in style with his bat held up high with a career to marvel at! What a player, what an entertainer! Cricket will miss you champ! #chrisgayle pic.twitter.com/B5HTvd1lkB

— N (@darkreaper49_) August 14, 2019