Renowned Guyanese batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan on Thursday sought to set the record straight following a character tarnishing video that was done by Christopher Gayle earlier this week.
Flashback! Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle celebrate after muscling West Indies to a victory
In Sarwan’s statement, he titled Gayle’s expose as false allegations as he speaks directly to Monday’s incident and quickly denounces his former teammate’s claims.
Taking the high road, Sarwan chronicled his experiences alongside
Sarwan in the Jamaica Tallawahs camp last year
the Universe Boss, singing his praises and sharing why the occurrence came as a shock, not only to the former Guyanese batsman, but to his immediate family members, who are quite familiar with Gayle.
Addressing Gayle’s claim that he was out to get him since 1996, the right-handed batsman issued a strong denial, as he did to Gayle’s claim that he was a part of the decision to let the Universe Boss go from the Tallawahs team this year.
Gayle and Sarwan share a light moment
The former West Indies middle order batsman also distanced himself from the allegation that he was intent on copping the position of head coach in the Jamaican camp last year, but accepted full responsibility for the allegation that he suggested a team curfew in 2019. However, to Sarwan’s knowledge, the curfew was never imposed.
Below is the full statement issued by Ramnaresh Sarwan:
Christopher Gayle’s outburst, disseminated via a YouTube video a few days ago, is quite unfortunate. In that video, he has levelled 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.No doubt, Gayle’s utterances have done immeasurable damage to the “gentleman’s game” of cricket; in particular West Indian cricket. As a former International Cricketer, who had the privilege of donning West Indian colours, I feel compelled to speak in defence of this great sport which has unified the Caribbean more than anything else over the past 50 years. It is my sincere hope that Gayle’s damnation has not caused irreparable damage to the unity and brotherhood which cricket has forged across the West Indies.
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.
Gayle refers to an incident as far back as 24 years ago. He claimed that I caused him to be sent home from Barbados during a tour, because he was watching television all night in the room which I shared with him. This is a total fabrication. No competent management would remove him from a series, a player of Chris’s calibre, on such a trivial allegation.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. In fact, the management of the franchise itself has issued a public statement that, “the truth is that this decision was made collectively by the Ownership and Management team which did not include Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan and based purely on business and cricketing reasoning.”
I have been officially attached to the Jamaica Tallawahs since 2018. I was first offered to play for the side. I refused, because I felt that young and upcoming Jamaican and regional talents as well as overseas players ought to be given that opportunity. I was then offered the position of Head Coach, but deferred to Mark O’Donnell, who was with the team several years prior. Instead, I accepted the position of Assistant Coach. In 2019, I was appointed Head Coach. I reached out to Chris and discussed with him the selection of a team. I did so out of respect for him.In my conversation with Gayle about the team, he informed me that Donovan Miller, a Jamaican and a very close friend of Chris, should be appointed Head Coach, as he would better understand the culture of the Jamaican players. I conveyed Gayle’s view to the CEO, informing the CEO that I would be happy to step aside for Miller’s appointment, given that Chris feels strongly about his appointment. My priority was what would be in the best interest of the team. Gayle is fully aware of the background, yet he accuses me of fighting to be Head Coach.
I accept full responsibility for my recommendation that the team management consider imposing a curfew on players prior to matches. I stand by that decision. Such restrictions are standard operational procedures in almost every international sport, so that when it is time for performance on the field, the players are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges. In any event, the curfew was never implemented, so I do not understand why Gayle has made this an issue.I absolutely reject Gayle’s allegation that I encouraged foreign players to disrespect him. I really do not understand how he came to such a conclusion, and this simply is not true.My deep concern is that young and upcoming players who regard Gayle as a role model may think that this is an acceptable way of addressing problems which may befall them in their careers.To the cricketing world and fans everywhere, more particularly West Indian cricket fans, all of whom I love and respect dearly, and especially those in my home country of Guyana and Jamaica, who have always supported me throughout my career, I express my deep regret on this unfortunate saga, and I hope that it will lower neither (Gayle nor me) in their estimation.I thank all those who have conveyed their support to me and rallied around me during this unfortunate turn of events. I take this opportunity to wish Chris all the best with his new team in the upcoming CPL.
