Chris Gayle first to hit 10,000 Twenty20 runs

NEW DELHI: Chris Gayle has become the first batsman to accumulate 10,000 Twenty20 runs, going past the milestone during a match-winning blitz in the Indian Premier League.

Swashbuckling West Indian Gayle, 37, who plies his trade across the world´s Twenty20 leagues, smashed 77 off 38 balls with five fours and seven sixes to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 21-run win over Gujarat Lions in Rajkot on Tuesday.

Gayle´s nearest rival New Zealand´s Brendon McCullum, who top scored for Gujarat with 72, has more than 7,500 runs in the shortest format.

The self-proclaimed "Universe Boss" has scored 7,534 runs in fours and sixes in his domestic Twenty20 career including 18 centuries and 61 fifties.

The burly left-hander from Jamaica thanked his fans on social media.

"Big Thank You to the fans for the love and support over the years! Many more entertainment to come! #10000CG #Champion #KingGayle," Gayle tweeted.

Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya, who was arrested and later granted bail in London on Tuesday for alleged fraud, also congratulated Gayle on Twitter.

Gayle replied with a "Thanks Big Boss" message for his team´s former owner who stepped down from the post of franchise director last year.

Gayle last played a Twenty20 international in April last year after an alleged pay dispute led to a fallout with the West Indies Cricket Board.