'I haven't recovered fully, still bearing some discomfort'

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle said he has still not completely recovered from the hamstring injury, which had ruled him out for the Royal Challengers Bangalore's first four matches. 

"I haven't recovered fully. Still bearing some discomfort at this point in time, so I am just trying to monitor things as I go on.

"Those things are in places and you need to take it in stride as you go," Gayle said at the sidelines of the adidas Fifa flagbearers event.

Gayle has scored 85 runs in three matches so far, and has shown glimpses of his potential in these games.

The Jamaican said he enjoys opening the innings with diminutive wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel, as he eases off the pressure.

"It is good to open the batting with him. He is an  attacking player as well. He can ease some of the pressure at the top of the order. So you can give him more time to bat, you don't want him to bat much deeper within the team and the team will actually benefit," he said.

The duo had provided a blistering start for the Virat Kohli-led Bangalore outfit but their similar dismissals changed the complexion of the game, which resulted in the visitors losing the tie by 19 runs against defending champions Mumbai Indians.

"Two same dismissals last night was unfortunate and that couldn't take us across the line for victory," Gayle said.

Asked about the team's chances at half way through the tournament, Gayle said, "we are not out of it. We are down but not out. Seven games, lost four and won three.

"So just (need) to gain momentum by getting some wins back to back and that can change the entire face of RCB. And then we can look to push for the final four and then go on from strength to strength. We are still backing ourselves to get the job done." 

There was an ugly on-field spat between RCB bowler Mitchell Starc and Mumbai Indians' batsman Kieron Pollard but Gayle said these things happen in cricket.

"It is an intense game. Two teams down and looking to get two points for the team. It is one of those moments. These things happen in cricket. It is not going to be the last for these things to happen in cricket and it is not the first that has happened in cricket also," Gayle said.