Gurugram Thunders will face Maharashtra Tycoons in Match No. 7 of the World Legends Pro T20 League 2026 on Thursday, January 29, at the 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium in Goa. Gurugram Thunders have had a tough start to their campaign, losing both of their opening matches and currently sitting at the bottom of the points table. With no points on the board, the team will be desperate to regroup, fix their shortcomings, and produce a much-improved performance to get their tournament back on track.

Maharashtra Tycoons, on the other hand, have enjoyed a positive beginning to the competition and are placed second in the standings with one victory so far. Chris Gayle will be player who will certainly attract crowd. The Tycoons have shown good balance across departments and will take confidence from their early success. Heading into this clash, they will look to build on their momentum, maintain consistency, and strengthen their push towards the top of the table with another strong showing.

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WLP T20 League 2026, Match 7, GT vs MT: Live Streaming Details

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Gurugram Thunders:

Jermaine Blackwood, Phil Mustard (wk), Thisara Perera (c), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Malinda Pushpakumara, Rayad Emrit, Saurin Thakar, Chirag Gandhi, Stuart Broad, Amitoze Singh

Maharashtra Tycoons:

Sir Alastair Cook, Chris Gayle, Shaun Marsh, Ayaan Khan, Stuart Binny, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Pratik Athavale (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Siddle, Pawan Suyal, Rahul Sharma, Gaurav Dhiman

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The tournament will feature 55 matches played across eight venues. Five venues will be in India, while three will be in Sri Lanka. A total of 20 teams will take part in the tournament. Scotland recently replaced Bangladesh after Bangladesh withdrew from the event.

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups, with five teams in each group. India and Pakistan are placed in Group A. Australia and Sri Lanka are in Group B. England and West Indies are part of Group C, while New Zealand and South Africa are in Group D. After the group stage, the tournament will move into the Super 8 round, followed by the knockout matches.

Over the nine editions of the Men’s T20 World Cup played so far, batters have delivered many outstanding performances. As the new edition approaches, we take a look back at the five highest individual scores in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Also read -Top 5 bowlers with the best bowling figures in men’s T20 World Cup history ft. Sam Curran

1. Brendon McCullum (123 off 58) vs Bangladesh – 2012

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum holds the record for the highest individual score in Men’s T20 World Cup history. He scored 123 runs off 58 balls against Bangladesh at Pallekele in the 2012 tournament.

New Zealand were sent in to bat and scored 191 for 3 in 20 overs. Bangladesh were later restricted to 132 for 8, and New Zealand won the match by 59 runs. Batting at number three, McCullum hit 11 fours and seven sixes. He was dismissed on the final ball of the innings.

2. Chris Gayle (117 off 57) vs South Africa – 2007

West Indies legend Chris Gayle scored 117 runs off 57 balls against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2007. This was the first match of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

West Indies scored 205 for 6 after batting first. Gayle opened the innings and hit seven fours and ten sixes. He added 145 runs for the first wicket with Devon Smith. However, South Africa chased the target and won the match.

3. Alex Hales (116 off 64) vs Sri Lanka – 2014*

England batter Alex Hales played a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka in Chattogram during the 2014 T20 World Cup. He remained unbeaten on 116 runs from 64 balls.

England chased a target of 190 runs and won the match by six wickets. Hales hit 11 fours and six sixes. He shared a 150-run partnership with Eoin Morgan to guide England to victory.

4. Ahmed Shehzad (111 off 62) vs Bangladesh – 2014*

Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad scored an unbeaten 111 runs off 62 balls against Bangladesh in Mirpur during the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan batted first and scored 190 for 5. Bangladesh were restricted to 140 for 7, and Pakistan won by 50 runs. Shehzad opened the innings and hit ten fours and five sixes.

5. Rilee Rossouw (109 off 56) vs Bangladesh – 2022

South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw scored 109 runs off 56 balls against Bangladesh in Sydney in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

South Africa scored 205 for 5 after batting first. Bangladesh were bowled out for 101, and South Africa won the match by 104 runs. Rossouw batted at number three and hit seven fours and eight sixes.

The former legendary West Indies opening batter, Chris Gayle, has made headlines once again for his activities away from the cricket field, as he recently posted a video on Instagram featuring himself dancing in a restaurant, which quickly attracted the attention of fans around the globe. 

The video appears to be coming from a restaurant or bar, where Kale was seen showcasing his breakdancing moves as he enjoyed the moment, lying on his back and starting to move, based on the center. This shows how the veteran batter has been enjoying his time as the West Indies side prepares for their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

See Also: Pakistan to make massive decision to support Bangladesh ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

In terms of his batting, Gayle remains the sixth leading run-getter of the T20 World Cup with 965 runs in thirty 1 innings at an average of over 34 and a strike rate of more than 140, thanks to his seven half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of 117.

Chris Gayle's breakdancing breaks internet in viral video

The Jamaican retired from the game with 1899 runs in 75 T20 innings at an average of under 28 and a strike rate of 137.50, thanks to his two centuries and 14 half-centuries at the best score of 117. When it comes to the T20s, Gayle managed over 14500 runs at an average of 36.22 and a strike rate of 144.75.

Watch the video here:

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A post shared by Chris Gayle 👑 (@chrisgayle333)

In international cricket, several records are being topped that can’t be broken in the future, and Gail’s 22 centuries in the shortest format in 455 innings remain on the list. At the current age, Pakistan’s opening batter and former captain, Babar Azam, remains the second leading century maker in the T20s, but he is also 11 centuries short of the former West Indies batter.

West Indies did not have a great campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022 before they a strong comeback last year at home. However, they still failed to make it to the semifinals in that edition. Going to India under head coach Darren Sammy, they will take inspiration from their 2016 title-winning championship.

The West Indies legend Chris Gayle, famously known as the "Universe Boss," kicked off 2026 in his typical juncture. A dance video of Gayle in the "Phuckry Gwan" Ultra Carnival in St. Kitts and Nevis has surfaced and gone viral on social media as it won hearts across the cricket world.

The Jamaican Patois phrase “Phuckry Gwan,” which loosely means “what’s going on” or "What's happening?", has become Gayle’s theme for the new year. In videos shared online, Gayle is seen dancing freely to the song and enjoying the carnival atmosphere. Fans loved his energy, with many people appreciating his ability to enjoy his life even after retiring from international cricket.

True to his persona of a larger-than-life figure, Gayle lent star value to the carnival celebrations. His fans simply loved to see him immerse himself in any Caribbean tradition, as proof once again of his popularity beyond the cricket field.

Chris Gayle Takes on New Role in Cricket

Away from the carnival spotlight, Gayle has also made a major professional move. He has been appointed the official Brand Ambassador for Season 6 of the Lanka Premier League. The tournament is set to return in July–August 2026 after being cancelled in 2025.

Watch the video here

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chris Gayle 👑 (@chrisgayle333)

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League officials believe his worldwide fan appeal and high-octane persona will help the league's reach and excitement go well. with Universe Boss is the promotion face for the tournament, the LPL is set to have a thunderous comeback.

Looking ahead, Gayle has further hinted at a possible reunion with his former teammates Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers from Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the World Championship of Legends 2026. While nothing is confirmed yet, all eyes are on the subsequent acts of this T20 icon as he continues to mix cricket, celebrations, and global appeal.

The Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), a T20 tournament held in Jammu and Kashmir, came to an abrupt end over the weekend after a major controversy. As some reports suggest, some organisers involved in the event put some legendary players like Gayle, Martin Guptill, and other local players in trouble and left the city without even clearing the Hotel and other necessary bills.

The T20 tournament had some notable players like Chris Gayle, Thisara Perera, and Martin Guptill, with a bunch of promising Indian talents. Though the tournament was for the improvement of cricket culture in the heaven on Earth, Jammu and Kashmir, the reality was totally different, bitter, and chaotic. As soon as this happened, the next scheduled match on Sunday was immediately called off. 

People who were there found difficulties contacting the organisers, and as a result, approximately 40 players were stuck in a hotel in Srinagar with payment uncertainty and other issues. This T20 tournament was planned to showcase the beauty of Kashmir and boost tourism, but the end result was tragic and poor, and raised questions over management credibility.

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IHPL T20 in Kashmir Abruptly Ends Amid Major Controversy:

An English umpire, Mellissa Juniper said, “ Organisers have fled from the hotel. They have not paid the hotel, the players, or the umpires. We've reached an agreement with the hotel so players can go home. It's unfair to keep them here away from their families.”

IHPL organisers reportedly flee to Delhi,Leaving 70 local & national players,stranded over unpaid dues This is diabolical to cricket lovers and to the image of Country says Umpires.@OmarAbdullah @OfficeOfLGJandK @JmuKmrPolice @ICC @BCCI pic.twitter.com/RMoIggchh8

— Sufi Hidayah (@hidayah_su61389) November 2, 2025

According to staff at The Residency Hotel, the organisers had promoted the Indian Heaven Premier League as a major cricketing event for Jammu and Kashmir. They had booked around 150 rooms for a ten-day stay, showcasing the scale and ambition of the much-hyped tournament. 

As per TOI, an official said, “ They promised a grand event with stars like Chris Gayle to boost Kashmiri tourism. On Sunday morning, we found they had disappeared without clearing dues.”

A few players, including Chris Gayle, left the hotel on Saturday after noticing irregularities with the organisers and the event’s management. Former India cricketer Parvez Rasool mentioned that several participants also experienced travel delays, adding to the growing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Heaven Premier League. He said, “ An English umpire had to contact the British embassy.”

Announced on September 18, the tournament generated excitement across Jammu and Kashmir. Team mentor Surinder Khanna described it as a “great opportunity for the region’s youth,” expressing hope that the event would help discover emerging talents similar to Umran Malik and Parvez Rasool from the valley.

Although big names like Chris Gayle initially drew some spectators, the crowd numbers soon dropped significantly. This decline forced organisers to reduce ticket prices, which in turn caused sponsorship troubles and several other challenges, adding to the growing issues surrounding the Indian Heaven Premier League.

Chris Gayle, known as the 'Universal Boss,' on this day created a record that is still untouched. During an Indian Premier League match, the batter touched the landmark. Five years ago on October 30, the big man from Jamaica hit his 1000th T20 six of his career, which, to date, remains untouched. 

It was a match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. PBKS went to bat first and registered 185 runs in 20 overs in exchange for only 4 wickets. Gayle, as expected, showed his muscle power in the match. He scored 99 runs against 63 balls, missing a century by only one run. In this match, he came to bat as a number three batter. In his 99-run innings, the batter smashed six boundaries and eight over-boundaries. 

One of those sixes was the 1000th maximum of his career. Against a delivery from Kartik Tyagi, the batsman hit the record-making over boundary. But sadly, Gayle's effort went in vain as PBKS lost the match against Rajasthan Royals. RR won the match with ease, by 7 wickets and 15 balls to spare. 

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Chris Gayle is the only batter to hit 1000 T20 six

As of now, Gayle is the only player in the T20 format to hit 1,000 sixes. Gayle, in total, hoisted 1,056 sixes throughout his T20 career. His countryman Kieron Pollard is second on this list with 966 sixes. If we talk about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, then these two icons are also well behind in the list. Rohit has played 463 T20 matches so far, hitting 547 sixes. Virat Kohli has hit 435 sixes in 414 T20 matches.

Chris Gayle, now 46 and retired, played a total of 103 Tests, 301 ODIs, and 79 T20Is in his international career. He has 7,214 runs in Tests, 10,480 in ODIs, and 1,899 in T20Is. 

September 21, 1979- birthday of Jamaican giant Chris Gayle, who is considered one of the first few global superstars of the Twenty20 format. During the later part of his career, when he had already cemented his legacy, he earned the nickname 'Universal Boss.'

In his prime, he mastered the art of exploiting the bowlers with the help of his immense muscle power. To date, some of his records still remain untouched. In the opening game of the inaugural World T20 in Johannesburg, the tall left-handed batter scored 175 runs in 66 balls, which is still the highest individual score in the format and one of the fastest T20 hundreds.

He scored massive runs in all of the formats for the West Indies. The 333-run knock in Tests, against Sri Lanka in Galle on November 15, 2010, was a testimonial of his batting. Chris Gayle scored two triple-centuries in Test cricket, with scores of 317 against South Africa in 2005 and 333 against Sri Lanka in 2010.

Read More: [WATCH] Mooney’s storming 138 ends in shock run-out as Australia set record target

An iconic batter who redefined the art of hard hitting 

In the One Day International format, Gayle smashed a double ton as well. On February 24, 2015, against Zimbabwe at the ICC Cricket World Cup, the opener finished his 215-run off 147-ball innings against Zimbabwe. He achieved the ton in just 138 deliveries; at that time, that was considered the fastest knock in a Cricket World Cup. 

More than for his time with the West Indies cricket team, Gayle became a household name for his batting for various franchise teams across the globe. Throughout his professional cricket career, he played in 9 different T20 franchise leagues, including the Indian Premier League. He played over 140 matches in IPL, the most in his career for a league. After playing 142 IPL matches, he maintained a strike rate close to 150, which was further evidence of his hitting abilities, while for the West Indies, in T20Is, he played only 79 matches at an average strike rate of 137.50. 

For long years, Virat Kohli had a huge dream of winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). It came close in 2016 when Kohli’s superb run with the bat had nearly taken him to the title against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. The dream, however, was fulfilled under Rajata Patiar’s leadership in the 2025 season.

But a video has gone viral on various social media where Virat Kohli and the former opening batter of the side, Chris Gayle, were seen on the roads during the victory parade, where they lifted the IPL trophy, along with celebrating the moment with thousands of fans around them.

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Virat was excellent in this campaign for IPL 2025 as he finished as the third leading run-getter of the tournament. The right-handed batter smashed 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, scoring eight half-centuries in the competition at the best score of unbeaten 73 runs.

Watch: Virat Kohli’s fan copies IPL trophy for RCB in victory parade as video goes viral

Along with Kohli, their opening batter, Phil Salt, was equally successful with 403 runs in 13 innings. The England wicket-keeper batter had an average of 33.58 and a strike rate of 175.98 with the help of four half-centuries at the best score of 65, while their captain drilled 312 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 143.77 with two fifties.

pic.twitter.com/gcT1bjSUTw

— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) September 16, 2025

In the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood was the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps in 12 innings at an average of 17.54 and an economy rate of 8.77, thanks to the best figure of 4/33. Krunal Pandya was the peak of the spinners with 17 wickets in 15 innings at an economy rate of more than eight. Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked 17 wickets in 14 innings.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished the IPL 2025 campaign in the second position with the help of nine wins in 14 encounters at a net run rate of 0.301. They beat the Punjab Kings twice in the qualifier and the final to lift their maiden title.

Chris Gayle, the batting giant of West Indies cricket known for towering sixes and a destructive batting style, recently weighed in on the sport's most iconic cricket shots and the players who executed them. In a YouTube interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Gayle articulated which cricketers, to him, have defined some strokes in cricketing history. The players that he selected gave the fans a nostalgic and memorable glimpse at batting artistry.

For the straight drive, Gayle's first selection was the great Sachin Tendulkar, who is undoubtedly one of the greatest batters of all time. Tendulkar's straight drive has long been considered an example of technical perfection and grace, generally played with the full face of the bat.

From cover drives to switch hits: Gayle’s picks

Gayle selected modern-day master Virat Kohli for his cover drive selection. Kohli's cover drive is touted for his elegance, balance, and timing through the off-side and is currently celebrated as one of the best cover drives in the modern era, and compared to the greats of the past.

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As for the pull shot, Gayle believes that title belongs to India's current captain, Rohit Sharma. At his best, Rohit has made a name for himself with short-pitched bowling. He can pick the length, and he hits the shot so effortlessly that it has become his shot.

For the cut shot, Gayle will give it to the Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who changed one-day cricket at the top of the order. Jayasuriya could cut in between any of the gaps, especially the point region, with ferocious cuts; he was one of the most dangerous openers to ever play the game. 

Gayle believed the reverse sweep belongs to Andy Flower, who was one of the best players to play the shot. Flower used the reverse sweep not just as a run-scoring option, but also to negate spin, which he was doing in the 1990s and early 2000s, with the switch hit. Gayle gave it to former England player Kevin Pietersen, who made the shot famous during his prime years. The switch hit is one of the most audacious shots in cricket.

Gayle's selections demonstrate how these players excelled individually and transformed batting technique in ways that inspired a generation of cricketers. By recognising these masters of single shots, Gayle recognised both the classical and innovative elements of the game and the continually evolving artistic nature of batting in cricket.