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Chris Gayle started his IPL career for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with a bang. In his very first game for RCB in 2011 at the Eden Gardens, the opener played an unbeaten knock of 102 from just 55 balls that included 10 boundaries and seven maximums, guiding his team to a win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Overall, Gayle played 85 matches for RCB and in 84 innings, he scored 3163 runs at an impressive average of 43.33 and an astounding strike rate of 152.73.
On the ocassion of Chris Gayle's 45th birthday today (September 21), here is a look at the RCB playing 11 from his debut for the franchise in 2011 and where they are now.
Top order - Chris Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Virat Kohli
Chris Gayle opened the batting with Tillakaratne Dilshan in the former's first match for RCB. Gayle last played for West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2021. He last played in the IPL and CPL in 2021. Post that, Gayle has been seen as an expert giving his views as a broadcaster in the IPL.
Dilshan retired from international cricket in 2016. Post retirement, he joined politics in 2018. He made his television debut in 2017 and in 2021, he released a music video titled Hitha Hadana Kena. In February, 2024, Dilshan was granted Australian citizenship.
Virat Kohli batted at number three in the said game and scored an unbeaten 30. Kohli is still going strong for India in Test and ODI cricket. He has played 17 seasons for RCB and is an intergral part of the franchise even today.
Middle order - AB de Villiers, Chateshwar Pujara and Saurabh Tiwary
AB de Villiers was the keeper-batter for RCB in the said game. Along with Gayle and Kohli, de Villiers was one of the best players to have featured in the IPL and guided his team to famous wins on several ocassions. The South African last played in the IPL in 2021 and since then has taken up commentary and is well respected for his sharp analysis of the game.
Chateshwar Pujara last played a Test match for India in June, 2023. Post that he has been out of favor with the selectors. The batter has been playing for Sussex in county cricket and has tasted success in domestic cricket in England.
Saurabh Tiwary was a part of the India U-19 team that won the World Cup in 2008 in Malaysia. He played 93 IPL games from 2008 till 2021 as well as three ODIs for India. Tiwari announced his retirement from professional cricket early this year and is currently playing Legends League Cricket.
Lower order - Daniel Vettori, Zaheer Khan, Asad Pathan, Sreenath Aravind, and Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad
Vettori was a part of the RCB squad in 2011. He played IPL till 2012. His last game for New Zealand was in 2015. Post retirement, the Kiwi all-rounder has taken up coaching and was at the helm of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise during IPL 2024. He is currently the assistant coach of the Australia men's national cricket team.
Zaheer Khan has taken up commentary and mentoring post his retirement from international cricket. He was the Global Head of Cricket Development for Mumbai Indians for the past couple of seasons. He will be the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.
Asad Pathan played nine matches for RCB from 2011 to 2012. He was known for his aggressive batting lower down the order. He was last seen playing competitive cricket in Abu Dhabi T10 league in 2019.
Sreenath Aravind picked up two wickets in the match when Gayle made his debut for RCB. He played 38 IPL matches, last being in 2017. He played a solitary T20I for India against South Africa in 2015. The left-handed pacer was appointed as the bowling coach for Baroda cricket team during the 2023-2024 season.
Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad played five matches for RCB during IPL 2011. He played six more matches during IPL 2012 and 2013 and has picked up eight IPL wickets in 11 matches. He was last seen playing the Tamil Nadu Premier League in 2017.
