Chris Gayle, a big-hitting West Indies opener, announced on Sunday that he will retire from one-day international cricket after World Cup 2019. WIndies begin their bid for a third World Cup title on May 31 against Pakistan.
The 39-year-old 'Universe Boss' said that he can bow out in style after a 20-year career built on big hitting at the top of the order.
Speaking to espncricinfo, he went on to say: "You´re looking at a great man, I´m the greatest player in the world."
He added,"Of course I´m still the ´Universe Boss´. That will never change. I´ll take that to the grave."
Gayle still needs 677 more runs to surpass the great Brian Lara as the West Indies´ all-time record ODI runscorer, a feat he will be hoping to achieve at his fifth World Cup, which starts on May 30.
"I´ll let the youngsters have some fun and I can sit back in the party stand and watch them have some fun," said Gayle.
"Winning the World Cup would be a fairytale finish. The youngsters owe it to me to win. They have to do that for me and try and get me the trophy. I´ll be looking to put my input in as well."
Gayle has been mainly a T20 specialist since making his last Test appearance in 2014, and most recently played in the Bangladesh Premier League earlier this month.
He will continue playing franchise cricket, with the T20 World Cup in two years´ time potentially on the agenda.
Gayle, who began made his debut in 1999, has also scored a Windies record of 23 ODI hundreds, including the first ever World Cup double century against Zimbabwe four years ago.