Former West Indies’ cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan and assistant coach of Jamaica Tallawahs has dismissed the accusations against him imposed by attacking batsman, Chris Gayle, saying he had no involvement in the latter’s exclusion from the Caribbean Premier League’s franchise.
Gayle had earlier put allegations on Sarwan for backstabbing him by playing a crucial role behind his ouster from Tallawahs’ side ahead of the 2020 season. Gayle even termed his former teammate as ‘snake’ while forming severe charges in a YouTube video.
Now, Sarwan has responded to Gayle’s indictments by issuing a 2-page statement on his Facebook account. Sarwan stated that his former teammate has leveled false allegations against him.
“Christopher Gayle’s outburst disseminated via a YouTube video a few days ago is quite unfortunate. I categorically deny any involvement in the decision or the decision-making process, which led to Gayle’s non-selection to represent the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Tournament,” wrote Sarwan.
“In that video, he has leveled false allegations and tarnished the good name and reputation of a series of persons. I was the focus of most of the onslaughts. I reply, not because I feel that Gayle’s rantings are worthy of it, but because I feel that the public’s record must be set straight and also, to protect the character and careers of so many people, whose image he sought to besmirch,” Sarwan added.
Sarwan, in his post named Gayle as an “extraordinary talent”, and said he valued his old friend a lot and has always respected him. The 39-year-old also recalled an incident when he backed Gayle despite of negative vibes around him.
Sarwan rolled back to an embarrassing episode in Big Bash League (BBL) when calls were made by many including former Australian Ian Chappel to ban Gayle from international cricket for his remarks against a female journalist in Australia.
“Let me make it abundantly clear, I have played with Gayle from the inception of my international career, and I have always respected him as an extraordinary talent, a colleague and most importantly, a close friend. Hence, my utter shock by these scandalous allegations. He was welcomed in and is loved by my immediate family and has hurt them terribly.
“Fans will recall that when Ian Chappell called for Gayle to be banned from international cricket because of remarks he made to a female journalist, I issued a public call for fans to rally around Gayle. I stood up for him on every such occasion. But this missive is not about that,” Sarwan added further.
The Guyanese cricketer also thanked those who supported him during the current times and wished Gayle good luck with his new team in the upcoming edition of CPL.
“I thank all those who have conveyed their support to me and rallied around me during this unfortunate turn of events and take the opportunity to wish Chris all the best with this new team and the upcoming CPL,” concluded Sarwan who played for West Indies between 2000-2011.
