World Cup 2019: Chris Gayle expresses desire to play in India for one last time before retirement

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle is open to play the India Tests and ODIs series after World Cup despite saying he'll retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup 2019. 

The Jamaican born batsman took a U-turn from his decision to retire from ODIs after the World Cup. Gayle himself announced in February that after the World Cup in England, he would be his one-day swansong, expressed his desire to play the series against India, who are scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is between August and September.

"It's still not the end. We still have a few matches to go, and maybe another series after this so knows? We'll see what happens," Gayle said during the press conference on the eve of West Indies' game against India.

"My plans after the World Cup... I may play a Test match against India, and then I'll definitely play the T20s and ODIs against India."

Initially perceived as a joke, West Indies media manager later confirmed to the press that Gayle was not kidding and that he was serious and hopeful of perhaps getting a farewell series. Gayle has played 103 Test matches between 2000 and 2014 having scored 7109 runs with two triple centuries.

The 39-year left-hander has scored 23 centuries and 9,727 runs in the 50-over format -- second only to Brian Lara among West Indians -- since making his debut against India in 1999.

He was West Indies' highest run scorer in the 2015 World Cup, making 340 runs at an average of 56.66. In the same tournament, he also became the first male cricketer to score a World Cup double century, which he achieved against Zimbabwe. His form at 2019 World Cup hasn't been the best so far as the entire West Indies team look out of sync for the past few matches in England. 

The prolific batsman has played 103 tests, the last of which came in 2014. In recent years, he has focused more on limited overs cricket, including Twenty20 competitions across the world. As a part-time off-spinner, Gayle picked up 165 wickets in ODIs.

The Windies take on an unbeaten Team India on Thursday at Old Trafford in Manchester. While Virat Kohli and Co. will look to finalise a spot in the semi-finals of the WC, West Indies will be fighting for their survival.