First-time father Gayle to miss 2 IPL games

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be without the services of their star batsman Chris Gayle in the next two IPL matches as he has gone back to the West Indies to be with his partner Natasha Berridge, who is expecting their first child.

On Monday, the West Indian had tweeted a picture of himself on board an aircraft, with the caption, "I'm on my way, Baby".

Gayle will miss Wednesday's away game against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium and also the next game against Rising Pune Supergiants in Pune on Friday.

RCB face Gujarat Lions on Sunday in Rajkot.

The big-hitting Jamaican is yet to fire in the Indian Premier League but his skipper Virat Kohli said he was not worried about Gayle's form.

The 36-year-old was out for just 1 run against Sunrisers Hyderabad and was dismissed for a three-ball duck by captain Zaheer Khan against Delhi Daredevils.

RCB defeated Sunrisers but lost to Daredevils.