Gayle just one knock away from putting IPL 2016 horror behind: Jordan

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Chris Gayle may have flopped one more time but bowling hero Chris Jordan on Saturday said the big-hitting opener is just one good innings away from regaining his touch in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Skipper Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers blazed away to unbeaten centuries as RCB notched up a record 144-run win over Gujarat Lions in Bengaluru. Jordan was the pick of the bowlers, returning brilliant figures of 4/11. [caption id=“attachment_2777224” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Chris Gayle. SportzPics[/caption] “He (Gayle) has that royal factor about him. He comes out all guns blazing, scoring a hundred off 50 balls, and then everyone will talk about it for the rest of their lives. He is a strong character and I am sure he is one performance away from getting back to his best,” Jordan told reporters at the post-match press conference at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Further talking about Gayle’s poor show, Jordan said, “There is no problem with his batting. His emotions are always consistent. He is just one performance away from forgetting about how bad the IPL has gone for him this season.” Jordan gave credit to Kohli and de Villiers for recording the second highest IPL total ever. “I was hoping something like that will happen .. they (Kohli and De Villiers) showed their class today and really set the game for us bowlers to go after Gujarat Lions’ batsmen and take wickets like we did,” he said. Asked what he would have done if he was bowling at Kohli and de Villiers, Jordon said, “As far as bowling to AB and Virat today - who knows man, you just have to back your plans as much as possible, and hopefully execute it,” he said. Jordon said it was important to remain emotionally stable, but hoped to take the confidence into the next game. “When you enter a new team, you always feel like putting up a good performance, but I think it is important not to get too high or too low emotionally. You need to stay as emotionally stable as possible. I hope to take the confidence from this game into the next,” the West Indian medium pacer said. Jordon felt he is yet not at his best, and needs to improve. “I still think I have some improvements to make. I maintain a high standard. I need to improve on a bit of precision and temperament as well. I don’t think I am back to my best as well. Hopefully, I will be there,” he said. Asked whether he has witnessed the best batting display ever by Kohli and de Villiers, Jordan said, “It’s got to be up there. There is a dexterity about it. There is a class about it. They had repertoire of shots which treated the spectators well,” he said.