Yet, the Caribbean seem to be somehow missing the services of Gayle as the long-running feud between the Jamaican and the WI board doesn't seem to be reaching an end any soon.
Caribbean batting great Vivian Richards it has been reported has slammed the WICB for its failure to sort out the differences with Gayle and said he finds the cricket board's decision to ask the former captain to apologise 'ludicrous' and 'a little far-fetched.'
As the former captain has said one may not agree with everything that Gayle did but felt the left-handed batsman still needs support.
As Richards has said at present, the West Indies Cricket Board is basically making Gayle out to be a villain about apologising and what he has got to do, the criteria that is required for him to be part of the unit again, which may not be the right thing.
All said and done as Richards says Gayle does need some support.
The 32-year-old Gayle has been sidelined from West Indies national team since the 2011 World Cup, for criticising the cricket board and its head coach Ottis Gibson in an interview with a Jamaican radio station.
Numerous meetings were held between the WICB and Gayle with the former demanding an apology, which the talismanic opener refused.
Agreeing with Richards, one needs to think how can the board ask Gayle to apologise when they themselves have not been living up to their responsibilities.
It is ludicrous for the WICB to ask Gayle to apologise when they know that something was wrong and maybe these are some of the issues Gayle was trying to address.
As Richards said he could not advise Gayle what route he should take, but it was clear that he wanted to play for West Indies -- and that he could make a difference to the fortunes of the side.
The big Jamaican has been in good form in the T20 games he has played and some great enthusiasm in the IPL and CLT20 and his presence will help the West Indies teams a lot.
Gayle is preparing for the Big Bash League Twenty20, in which he will represent the Sydney Thunder.
C Krishnamurthy
(by e-mail)
