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Calling the allegations leveled against him by Chris Gayle as “scandalous,” former West Indies hitter and Jamaica assistant coach Tallawahs Ramnaresh Sarwan has “categorically” denied that he had a role to play in the first. release of the franchise for the 2020 season of the Caribbean Premier League.
“I categorically deny any involvement in the decision or decision-making process, leading to Gayle’s non-selection to represent the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Tournament,” Sarwan said in a two-page statement it issued. on his Facebook account on Thursday.
Sarwan’s reaction comes a day after the Tallawah issued their own statement on Gayle’s release, saying the decision was made “collectively by the Property and Administration team that did not include Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan and was based solely in commercial and cricket reasoning. “
Subsequently, Saint Lucia Zouks hired Gayle for the CPL 2020, to be played in August-September.
On Monday, Gayle recorded his outburst in a personal YouTube video where he primarily blamed Sarwan and Tallawahs management led by owner Kris Persaud and CEO Jeff Miller for “playing a game” with him and never informing him of his plans to release him. . Gayle claimed that the CPL authorities gave him the news of his release and did not find his name on the Tallawah’s final retention list. Gayle said Sarwan played an important role in his expulsion and called him a “snake”, “deceptive” and “suspicious” person. Gayle even told Sarwan in the video that she “was done with him” and that she would tell him that the next time the couple meet in person.
Sarwan said Gayle’s outbreak was “quite unfortunate” and that the only reason he came out with his own statement was to “protect the character” of people like him who he said were falsely accused.
“In that video, he has made false allegations and tarnished the good name and reputation of a number of people,” said Sarwan. “I was the focus of most of the attacks. I answer, not because I feel that Gayle’s ramblings deserve it, but because I feel the public record must be correct and also, to protect the character and careers of so many people, whose image tried to tarnish. “
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Sarwan expressed dismay and “shock” at the allegations by his former West Indies teammate. Sarwan had played in 249 international matches involving Gayle with his association since the days under 19. “Let me make it clear that I have played with Gayle since the start of my international career and have always respected him as an extraordinary talent, a colleague and, most importantly, a close friend. Therefore, my utter surprise at these scandalous allegations. “
Sarwan said Gayle was a dear friend known to his family and that he had even “gathered” behind the Jamaican when in 2016 there were calls to ban Gayle from cricket after being involved in a sexism dispute while appearing to propose a journalist in alive. television during the Big Bash League.
Gayle, who was hired as the marquee player and named captain by the Tallawahs, had said earlier in the 2019 CPL season that Sarwan wanted to be a head coach, but told the Guyanese that he was “not fit” for that role as implied by various requirements. According to Sarwan, Tallawahs had appointed him as head coach, a role he had not taken on in 2018 because he wanted Mark O ‘Donnell to take over, who had been in charge of the franchise for a long time.
“In 2019, I was appointed Technical Director. I approached Chris and discussed the selection of a team with him. I did it out of respect for him. In my conversation with Gayle about the team, he informed me that Donovan Miller, a Jamaican and a friend Very close to Chris they should be named Head Coach as he would better understand the culture of Jamaican players. I relayed Gayle’s opinion to the CEO, informing him that I would be happy to put aside Miller’s quote given that Chris has a strong appreciation for His appointment. My priority was what would be best for the team. Gayle is fully aware of the background, but accuses me of fighting to be the head coach. “
Gayle also accused Sarwan of instigating foreign players to “tease” him in front of younger players for not being present on training days, a routine he said he had followed in all T20 leagues worldwide. . Gayle admitted that he had been “shaken” by the whispers and “put everyone in their place” during a “heated meeting” before Tallawahs’ final game last year.
“I absolutely reject Gayle’s claim that I encouraged foreign players to disrespect him,” Sarwan said. “I really don’t understand how he came to such a conclusion and this is simply not true.”
Sarwan expressed “deep regret for this unfortunate saga” and wished Gayle good luck for his time with the Zouks. However, Sarwan feared that Gayle may have set a wrong precedent that young players would want to follow him to express his discontent in the future in a similar way.
“My deep concern is that young and future players who see Gayle as a role model may think that this is an acceptable way to address issues that may arise in their careers.”
