Chris Gayle targets third T20 World Cup trophy with West Indies upon return to international cricket

Batsman, 41, takes part in his nation’s series against Sri Lanka this week after a two-year break from international cricket

Chris Gayle has spent two years away from international cricket (AFP via Getty Images)

Opening batsman Chris Gayle is targeting a third Twenty20 World Cup trophy with West Indies as he makes his return to international cricket following a two-year absence.

West Indies’ T20 series against Sri Lanka gets under way on Wednesday.

Former captain Gayle last played for West Indies in a one-day international against India in 2019 in what he then described as his last international appearance.

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Gayle has kept himself busy in T20 leagues across the world and played two matches for Quetta Gladiator in the ongoing Pakistan Super League before returning to Antigua.

The 41-year-old, who was part of the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup-winning teams, said he was focussed on clinching the three-match home series but the bigger target is to defend their T20 title in this year’s World Cup beginning in October.

“The bigger picture is actually to get three T20 titles under my belt. That’s actually the goal I’m setting,” Gayle said.

“The World Cup is still a long way off, but by the time you blink it’s World Cup time. So we have to try and keep the energy, keep fit, be ready and show the region what we are capable of.

“We have quite a few series coming up and we have a lot of cricket leading up to that. We’ll try and take as much as possible out of these series.”

Reuters