Gayle has been named in the West Indies squad for the first Test against New Zealand starting on Wednesday.
Gayle last played Test cricket during the tour of Sri Lanka in December 2010. Also back in the squad is Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who missed the final Test against England due to a side strain.
The selectors have left out an injured Darren Bravo from the 13-man squad. Bravo sustained the injury during the England tour.
The first Test against New Zealand will be played in Antigua before the teams head to Jamaica for the second and final Test.
The squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Kieran Powell, Assad Fudadin, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Narsingh Deonarine, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Tino Best, Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine.