Lalit Modi, the former chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), recounted an intriguing story about Chris Gayle during a podcast with Michael Vaughan. After Gayle went unsold in the IPL 2011 auction, he reached out to Modi, expressing his financial struggles and the urgency to find a team. Modi approached Vijay Mallya, the then-owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who was looking for a replacement for the injured Dirk Nannes. Mallya agreed to give Gayle a chance under the condition that he would be paid based on his performance. This opportunity proved pivotal for Gayle, who went on to have a remarkable stint with RCB, including winning the Orange Cap in 2011 for scoring 608 runs in 12 matches. Modi's story highlights the competitive nature of the IPL and the significance of player performance in securing contracts.