Chris Gayle can seemingly do no wrong this IPL season, especially when it comes to making headlines. First, he secured his place in the pantheon of big hitters with the fastest hundred in cricket history. He followed it up with a video for a soft drinks giant that became a YouTube hit. Now, in a reflection of his dominance on the cricket field, the Jamaican lefthander even has his own ‘Facts’.
Gayle Facts, which can be found in the twitter handles @GayleFacts and Chris- GayleFacts, are similar to the ubiquitous Chuck Norris facts and the ones featuring actor Rajnikanth. They are cheeky, wildly exaggerated statements about Gayle’s powers as a cricketer and make him out to be an all-powerful being. And yes, they tickle the funny bones of fans hard. Jokes about Gayle are nothing new, but since the start of IPL 2013, they have risen in popularity, like the man himself. The twitterati, who contribute to Gayle facts, borrow liberally from Rajnikanthisms. Sample this: “A policeman once pulled Chris Gayle over. Gayle let the policeman off with a warning.” Also, much like the jokes on Rajnikanth, Gayle facts seem adulatory and are a clear indicator of the gangling all-rounder’s rising stature. Another cricketer who has found himself at the centre of such jokes in recent times is India and Chennai Super Kings player Ravindra Jadeja.