The Day It Happened: “The Universe Boss” Reigns Supreme
The world of cricket stood still on November 16, 2010, as the flat pitch at the Galle International Stadium became the stage for a monumental performance. Facing a strong Sri Lankan team in the First Test, West Indies opener Chris Gayle delivered a career-defining score of 333.
Gayle had ended the first day on an already impressive 219 not out. On Day 2, he showed controlled aggression, speeding up his scoring rate from 200 to 300, punishing the bowlers who had worked tirelessly for nearly 10 hours. This knock was a powerful display of batting dominance in Sri Lanka, not only anchoring the West Indies innings but also setting a massive total that essentially defeated the hosts’ morale. Crucially, this 333 was significant for being the only triple century scored by a West Indian batsman in an away Test match.
Context Section: Match Details
| Detail | Value |
| Player | Christopher Henry Gayle |
| Opponent | Sri Lanka (SL) |
| Venue | Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka |
| Date | November 15-16, 2010 (Days 1 & 2 of the 1st Test) |
| Significance | 1st Test of the 2010/11 West Indies Tour of Sri Lanka. |
| Result | Match Drawn |
Statistical Summary Table: Gayle’s 333
| Statistic | Data |
| Score | 333 |
| Balls Faced | 437 |
| Strike Rate | 76.20 |
| Fours (4s) | 34 |
| Sixes (6s) | 9 |
| Total Boundaries | 43 (182 runs in boundaries) |
| Innings | 1st Innings |
Pacing/Detailed Data: The Journey to a Second Triple
Gayle’s innings was a masterful blend of power hitting and steadfast defense. He reached his milestones with characteristic flair, spending over 5 sessions at the crease to build his fortress.
- 200 off 247 balls (Scored on Day 1).
- 300 off 393 balls (Reached on Day 2).
- 333 off 437 balls (Dismissed by Ajantha Mendis).
His ability to dominate the Sri Lankan spinners—Ajantha Mendis and Suraj Randiv—in their home conditions was particularly notable, as the pitch offered little to the pacers.
Records Broken and Created
Chris Gayle’s monumental 333 vs Sri Lanka was a record-breaking spectacle that etched his name deeper into the annals of Test cricket.
Double Triple Century Club: Gayle became only the fourth batsman in Test history to score two triple centuries, joining an elite club alongside Don Bradman, Brian Lara, and Virender Sehwag.
Highest Away Score by a West Indian: His 333 is the highest individual score by a West Indies batsman in an away Test, surpassing Sir Viv Richards’ 291 at The Oval in 1976.
Highest Score Against Sri Lanka: This remains the highest individual score by any batsman against Sri Lanka, eclipsing Younis Khan’s 313 (2009).
Highest Score by a Visiting Batsman in Sri Lanka: Gayle’s 333 is the highest score by a visiting batsman on Sri Lankan soil, going past Stephen Fleming’s 274* (2003).
Record for Sixes in a West Indies Test Innings: He smashed 9 sixes, holding the record for the most sixes by a West Indian batsman in a single Test innings (since surpassed, but a record at the time).
Highest West Indies Total vs Sri Lanka: The team’s total of 580/9 declared, built around Gayle’s innings, was the highest Test total by the West Indies against Sri Lanka at the time.
Calendar Year Record (2010): Gayle’s score of 333 was the Highest Individual Score in Test Cricket recorded globally for the entire calendar year 2010.
Lasting Legacy: The Universe Boss’s Statement
The 333 against Sri Lanka in Galle cemented Chris Gayle’s status as a truly unique cricketer. Although he is best known globally as the “Universe Boss” for his T20 heroics, this second Test triple century showed another side: his incredible ability to mix raw power with extreme focus and stamina. This performance proved that the superstar of the short format was also a true legend of Test cricket. The number ‘333’ even became a personal symbol for Gayle, representing his mastery in the game’s longest format.
Also Read: Records Broken during Rohit Sharma’s 209 vs Australia
