West Indies’ hard-hitter Nicholas Pooran has opened up on Chris Gayle’s role in T20I cricket. Pooran scored a blistering knock of 98 runs off just 53 balls against Afghanistan to help his team post 218 runs and register a convincing win of 104 runs.

The left-hander smashed eight sixes in his whirlwind knock, which helped him go past Chris Gayle’s tally of 124 maximums in T20Is. Pooran has now clobbered 128 sixes in T20Is, which is the most for any West Indies batter.

Furthermore, Pooran also completed 2000 runs in T20Is for West Indies during his match-winning knock against Afghanistan. Pooran has scored 2012 runs in 92 T20I matches at an average of 26.47 and a strike rate of 135.85.

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle was well known for his pyrotechnics and he is regarded as one of the best T20 batters. Gayle was also the first batter to reach the 10,000 run mark in T20s.

“I’m just really happy that I can continue what he left. He obviously set the platform for us. He’s the definition of batting in T20 cricket. And I’m just really happy that I can continue to entertain people and take over where he has left,” said Pooran in the post-match press conference.

On the other hand, Pooran admitted he has sacrificed a lot in his career and he wants to be the best version of himself.

“It’s a proud feeling. I’ve worked hard throughout my career. I’ve sacrificed a lot, so I want to be the best version of myself. What has happened now is only because of my hard work and belief in myself. I’ve worked extremely hard on my craft, batting in different positions, and at the end of the day, I’m a complete team guy. Whatever they require from me, I want to do it,” said Pooran.

West Indies will begin their Super 8 campaign against the reigning champions England on Wednesday.