New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle believes that KKR batter Rinku Singh, who had a sensational IPL 2023 season, will get a massive spike in his salary next year.

Lucknow Super Giants clinched their spot in the 2023 IPL playoffs with a win in their final season game over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Lucknow took the crease to bat first and scored 176 runs, with Nicolas Pooran's 58 runs (30b, 4x4, 5x6) being the highlight of the innings. Kolkata's innings showed the hunger to win their final game at home but they fell short by one run, scoring 175 runs with Rinku Singh almost pulling off a final over comeback win. He scored 67 runs in 33 deliveries (6x4, 4x6).

Even though KKR lost the game and have had a disappointing season, the emergence of Rinku Singh has been great to watch for the fans of the team.

JioCinema IPL expert Chris Gayle thinks Singh will end up getting a massive spike in his IPL salary in 2024.

"Rinku Singh has done this on a few occasions for KKR before. I am sure next year, he's going to get his paycheque a little higher because he's been the best performer with the bat for KKR," said Gayle.

It looked like the Super Giants would fail to put up a competent total with the bat until Nicolas Pooran came to the crease and gave Lucknow's batting the boost it desperately needed.

Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha spoke about Pooran's innings after the game.

"It was very important. In the position he came to bat in, the situation, and the number he came out at, it isn't easy. When the team needed him, he put together a half century for the team and gave them a respectable score, a total they can fight with. We know the kind of batting Nicolas Pooran can do and that's what he did, when the team needed him the most," said Ojha.

Meanwhile, IPL expert Zaheer Khan has also been taken aback by the emergence of Rinku Singh this season, surpassing KKR legend Andre Russell in the pecking order.

"If you had to look at a bright spot for KKR this season, it was Rinku Singh. He was standing between LSG and the playoffs and played with a lot of confidence. He's carried himself and the team like that all season long. When you have an accomplished finisher like Russell, and yet he is not being discussed during this season when you speak of KKR," said Zaheer.

"If Rinku Singh has been able to move a name like that to the back, it just goes to show how good his season has been for him," he added.

New Delhi: After leaving an indelible imprint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years, West Indies legend Chris Gayle picked his top three 'Unforgettable Moments' from the decade-and-a-half history of the league.

Gayle was quick to recall his blistering knock of 175 against the Pune Warriors in 2013. "I have to say the 175, given the fact it is a record. Getting the fastest hundred off 30 deliveries was fantastic. That will always stand out. So that's No. 1."

Being true to his personality, Gayle picked his time interacting with the King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan as one of his three unforgettable moments.

"Spending time with Shah Rukh Khan off the field, it was something fantastic and superb. What a gentleman he is, and I will always cherish those moments and respect those moments. King Khan, my respect, Sir."

Mumbai Indians' rags to riches journey in 2015 impressed Gayle to the extent that he picked the group stage match which Mumbai had to win with a particular run-rate to avoid elimination. The Rohit Sharma-led side not only qualified but went on to win the title that season.

"They needed to qualify within 12 overs at a particular run-rate. They did it and went on to win the championship that year, basically from nothing to champions. Most teams, not only within the IPL, but overall can always reflect on that situation and use it like an example to show that you're never out of it. Never give up in life. When you get a chance, it might be slim, but still go for it, because you just never know," the Universe Boss recalled.

Gayle also remembered his century against his former team Kolkata Knight Riders on his RCB debut. "Making my debut for RCB against Kolkata. Getting a century on debut against my former team in Kolkata, in Eden Gardens as well. That was pretty much fantastic."

(IANS)