World Cup: India helped Chris Gayle score record 215

Bengaluru, Feb 25: Chris Gayle's record World Cup double hundred had an Indian touch. The record 215 was scored in Canberra with 'Made in India' tag!

World Cup Special; List of records broken by Gayle

Yes. Gayle, the first ever double centurion in 40 years of World Cup history, used a bat which was made in India. Gayle, on Tuesday (February 24) blasted the fastest double century in ODIs, off 138 balls, against Zimbabwe in a Pool B match of ICC World Cup 2015 at Manuka Oval. (Gayle says he batted with an injury to score 215)

The 35-year-old broke a few records on way to this monumental feat. He smashed 16 sixes, a joint record with Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers. This was only the 5th ever double hundred in ODI history.

The "Spartan" bat which Gayle used to destruct Zimbabwean bowlers was made in Jalandhar. The explosive Jamaican opener is one of "Spartan Sports" ambassadors.

Spartan was quick to hail Gayle's achievements. "Chris Gayle showed he is a true Spartan warrior in the ICC Cricket World Cup match against Zimbabwe, with a devastating batting display that created cricket history," it said.

"A welcome addition to the Spartan family of ambassadors, Chris Gayle brings his superstar persona to Spartan. Chris Gayle - joining the Spartan team prior to the 2012 IPL competition, Gayle has used his new Spartan Bat to make a massive impact for his team Royal Challengers Bangalore," the player profile page of Gayle reads on Spartan's website.

India captain MS Dhoni is also a Spartan Sports ambassador along with Australia skipper Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, Sir Vivian Richards and others.

"Gayle has been using our bats for the last two years. He demands a heavy bat weighing between 1250 gm and 1300 gm. We sent over 15 bats and he used the ones he liked after a knocking session," Amit Sharma of Spartan Sports was quoted as saying by "The Times of India".

"But more than that Gayle's innings will also give a push to the sports goods industry of Jalandhar. Though we have been exporting inflatable balls to Australia, this is the first time that our bats and protective gear are being used in the World Cup," Sharma added.

After the record, Gayle took to Twitter to thank Spartan. He wrote "#Spartan #Kunal - Thank you all for the kind messages, Family, Teammates, Friends and my true FANS...."

#Spartan #Kunal - Thank you all for the kind messages, Family, Teammates, Friends and my true FANS.… https://t.co/FDXxscEw4T

— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) February 24, 2015

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