West Indian batsman Chris Gayle has raised eyebrows by saying he named his baby daughter “Blush”, a nod to an infamous sexism scandal that engulfed him in January.
The self-proclaimed “Universe Boss” left many people wondering whether the name was genuine after his partner Natasha Berridge gave birth this week.
Gayle was pilloried over his remark, “Don’t blush, baby” when he asked an Australian TV presenter for a date live on air during the Big Bash League.
The 36-year-old batsman was fined by his club, Melbourne Renegades, and he later made an apology of sorts, describing his comments as “a simple joke”.
But on Thursday he posted on Instagram: “We would like to welcome the arrival of our beautiful daughter ‘Blush’ to this world 2 hours ago”.
He later said on Twitter: “Thank you all for the sweet and kind messages. Blush won’t Blush, my baby.”
The destructive left-handed batsman received a number of congratulatory messages from fans and the cricketing fraternity.
Gayle missed a game for his Indian Premier League franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore, but he may be back in action as early as tomorrow.
The big-hitting Jamaican is yet to fire for the Virat Kohli-led side and has scored just a single run from his two outings so far.
Meanwhile, Gayle’s international and IPL teammate, leg-spinner Samuel Badree, has been ruled out of the rest of the IPL with an injury that he picked in the recent World Twenty20 final.
Badree, who played a major role in the Windies’ triumph over England on April 3 by taking two wickets, was unable to play a single match for Bangalore.
Badree, 35, appeared to have hurt his shoulder and wrist while trying to take a diving catch at short third man in the 19th over of the England innings.
Bangalore have signed South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi as Badree’s replacement in the ninth edition of the cash-rich league.
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