Gayle storm destroys Zimbabwe
Besides Gayle, experienced Marlon Samuels hit a century and remained unbeaten at 133 runs to post 372 runs for the loss of two wickets in their 50 overs while .
Both joined in mammoth second wicket partnership to post an above 350 runs target for Zimbabwe. The African side were all out for 289 runs.
Gayle hit 16 sixes and 10 fours in his knock which not only entertained the spectators but sent out a strong message to the other side competing to win the trophy.
Samuels, who came to the crease after the dismissal of Dwayne Smith (0) in the second ball of the innings by Tinashe Panyangara, hit 11 boundaries and three sixes in his 122 runs knock.
Except Panyangara, who also gave away 82 runs in his nine overs, Hamilton Masakadza took other wicket of Gayle.
They were all hammered heavily by Gayle and Samuel.
Despite a loss, Sean Williams (76) and Craig Ervine (52) put up a respectable run chase.
West Indies skipper Jason Holder (3-48) and Jerome Taylor (3-38) destroyed the Zimbabwe batting line-up.
The match will be remembered for Gayle as he scored the third all-time ODI score. Rohit Sharma still holds the top position with his 264.
Amid criticisms after their shocking loss against Ireland, West Indies turned the wheels around to their favour by beating Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
After three matches, the side now stand in the second spot with India (4 points from 2 games) still topping the points chart in Pool B.
After the match, Gayle said: "It was a fantastic day for me."
Breaking former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten's record of 188 against UAE in 1996, Gayle set a new World Cup record of scoring the first double century in the 50-over mega cricket event.
He was only the fourth batsman in the world to score a double century with the other three being Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag.
He said the team showed a great all-round performance.
West Indies skipper Holder said: "We are gaining some momentum as we go, having four fielders outside is pretty difficult."
"Chris is a very entertaining player, he's leading the century list for West Indian players," he said.
Brief scorecard:
West Indies 372 for 2 in 50 overs (Gayle 215, Samuels 133*; T Panyangara 1- 82)
Zimbabwe 289 all out in 44.3 overs (Williams 76, Ervine 52, Taylor 3-38, J Taylor 3-48)
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