West Indies batsman Chris Gayle says he didn't intend to harm the reputation of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after disrespectful remarks against Jamaica Tallawahs' assistant coach and his former teammate, Ramnaresh Sarwan over feeling of resentment.
Gayle had blamed Sarwan for his release from the Tallawahs' squad ahead of CPL 2020, calling him a "snake", "worse than Coronavirus" on his Youtube channel.
Those comments didn't go down well at all with CPL and Cricket West Indies (CWI) authorities.
“Recently, I posted three videos on my personal YouTube channel, where I addressed the reasons for my departure from the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise ahead of the 2020 CPL tournament,” said Gayle in an official statement released on the CPL website this Friday (May 15).
“I made these videos with one single intention to explain to the fans in Jamaica the reasons behind what has now become my second departure from the Tallawahs franchise."
"It was my greatest wish to finish my CPL career in Jamaica, playing in front of my home crowd at Sabina Park with the franchise that I had previously led to two CPL titles."
"In so far as my resentment at the treatment, I stand by my comments in those videos. My words were spoken from the heart," he added.
However, the 40-year-old left-hander admitted that his remarks against Sarwan "may be viewed as being damaging to Cricket West Indies, and to the CPL Tournament and its brand".
"It was never my intention to damage the T20 tournament, as playing in the CPL has guaranteed an opportunity for the past seven years to play in front of the great fans of the Caribbean. This is a privilege which I genuinely appreciate and have never taken for granted," he said.
The CPL Committee, meanwhile, decided not to constitute a tribunal in the matter after Gayle assured all parties that he would ensure his conduct is befitting of a player of his experience and reputation. Therefore, the matter was closed.
After leaving the Tallawahs camp, Gayle has joined St Lucia Zouks for this year’s edition of the CPL, scheduled to kickstart in August.
(Inputs from IANS)
