Ramnaresh Sarwan dismisses and Deny Gayle’s allegations and Wishes him best for CPL 2020
Former West Indies player and the head coach of Jamaica Tallawahs Ramnaresh Sarwan recalled the allegations against him levied by Chris Gayle and called his claim as unfortunate in a Facebook post on Thursday (April 30).
Ramnaresh Sarwan statement reads:
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. 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.
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 caliber on such a trivial allegation. 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 the head coach.
I accept full responsibility for my recommendation, that the team management considers imposing a curfew on players before 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 reject Gayle’s allegation that I encouraged foreign players to disrespect him, I do not understand how he came to such a conclusion and this simply is not true. I express my deep regret on this unfortunate saga and I hope that it will lower neither Gayle’s nor I, 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.
