Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Daniel Vettori heaped praise on Chris Gayle for his 38 ball 77, saying that batsmen like the swashbuckling West Indian do not need guidance from any coach or captain.

Gayle smashed a blistering half-century before Yuzvendra Chahal returned with a three-wicket haul as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Gujarat Lions by 21 runs here last night.

"Good thing about international cricketers is that they probably talk to themselves more than any captain or coach talking to them about their performances," said Vettori at the post match press conference.

"They take pride in their performances, they really want to contribute to the team and Chris is a really prideful man, he wants to do well for RCB, do well for any team he plays for. Chris is the strongest and powerful player on these kind of wickets and he can take any bowler down."

The former New Zealand skipper said Gayle made the most of his opportunity.

"Today was his opportunity. AB's [de Villiers] injury allowed him to come out and play. We wanted him to play with freedom and we had given him the confidence," Vettori said.