The West Indies talisman batsman Chris Gayle stated that Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game as it allows the player to test their mental toughness. Playing for five days is challenging and the players who find success in the pristine form of the game are always remembered for a long time.
The Test format also demands discipline, determination and gumption from the players. One needs to be at the top of his game to perform in the red-ball version. The players have to push the envelope in the oldest format of the game and there is a lot of learning.
A lot of patience is also required both as a batsman and as a bowler in the multi-day format. A batsman has to play out a difficult session of bowling whereas the bowlers need to be patient if they are not getting wickets. The player’s stamina is also tested to the limits in the Test fold.
“I must say that Test cricket is ultimate. Playing Test cricket gives you that challenge to how to live life off the field as well because playing five days of cricket is very challenging,” Gayle said while speaking to Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul on the series ‘Open Nets with Mayank’ hosted by bcci.tv
Gayle added that the youngsters should be dedicated to give their best to perform in the pristine form of the game and they should most importantly enjoy the journey.
“So, youngsters, Test cricket allows you to test your skills and mental toughness as well within the game. Just be dedicated, enjoy what you do. Even if it’s not within the sport, there’s always something open out there for you,” said Gayle.
On the other hand, Chris Gayle was also able to savour great success as a Test batsman. The southpaw is one of the four batsmen who have scored two triple centuries in the Test format. Virender Sehwag, Sir Don Bradman and Brian Lara are the other three batsmen.
Gayle scored 7215 runs in 103 Test matches for the West Indies at an average of 42.19. The left-hander scored 15 centuries out of which three were double hundreds. He also scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 60.28.
It is crucial for the game that the interest is maintained in the young generation for the Test format. The format is known to bring out the best from the players and it is imperative that it is invested in by the ICC.
