Sharjah, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Indies batting great Chris Gayle has praised the fearless approach of modern-day batters, saying their aggressive mindset from the first ball has transformed white-ball cricket and driven scoring rates to new heights.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Gayle, 47, welcomed the changing dynamics of the game, with young batters increasingly taking on bowlers without hesitation.
“I am happy that batters are now breaking records and not the bowlers. The reason for this is that our youngsters are playing fearless cricket these days. They attack from one ball. The players play with no fear or favour,” Gayle said during an interaction with Cricketaaa.
The former West Indies opener, popularly known as the ‘Universe Boss’, said the mindset of players has undergone a major transformation, particularly in white-ball cricket.
“The game has changed. Players have changed. The batters are now hungry to score and they play fearless cricket from the very first ball. They are endlessly fearless, and that is good for the game,” he said.
Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo offered the perspective of a bowler, acknowledging the remarkable improvement in batting while stressing the need for bowlers to innovate and develop their skills.
“I see the way batting is happening across the world, and I’m glad my playing days are over. The skills of the batters have improved tremendously. Now, the bowlers have to enhance and innovate to keep up with the advancements in the game,” Bravo said.
Bravo added that ODI scores of 400 and even 500 runs may no longer be surprising as the sport continues to move towards a higher-scoring era.
“I had my time and the game is changing. It is heading towards an uphill tempo, and that is good for the game. But the bowlers have to improve and innovate,” he said.
Ajay Sethi, owner of the West Indies Champions, said the explosive batting style once associated strongly with West Indies cricket has now become a global phenomenon.
“What West Indies started as a phenomenon of explosive batting is now a global trend. The fearless approach and attacking mindset that became synonymous with West Indies cricket are now being replicated across the world,” Sethi said.
FOLLOW NOW
