Published: Jan 11, 2016, 12:43 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 11, 2016, 01:18 PM (IST)
Former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan lashed out at Ian Chappell, criticizing him for his call for a worldwide ban on Chris Gayle. Chappell, Australian cricketer-turned-commentator, sought a global ban on Gayle following the latter’s comments in an interview with a female sports journalist during the ongoing Big Bash League 2015-16, which sparked a massive storm that spread far and wide in the cricketing circles. Sarwan, who shared the dressing room with Gayle on many an occasion, called for all West Indian players to back Gayle in face of the controversy. Sarwan also felt that Gayle had already mustered up a massive support from several fans around the world, especially on the social media, following the controversy. READ: Chris Gayle faces more accusations of sexism from female journalists
“I think we as West Indians should respond to that, especially we the guys who have played with him. I don’t think that we should take that very easily to have someone calling for one of our players to be banned around the world,” Sarwan was quoted as saying according to a report on gnngy.com.
“Obviously Chris would have the support of me and many other players and I think that he has been getting many good responses on Facebook and social media. He’s a big guy, he is strong enough and I’m sure he has experienced worse things before and he will rise from it,” added Sarwan.
Gayle found himself in a storm after he asked Channel 10 reporter Mel McLaughlin out on a date in an interview following the 19th match of the tournament between the Melbourne Renegades and the Hobart Hurricanes, which the Renegades won by five wickets. Hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink after,” Gayle was quoted as saying to McLaughlin before ending his now-infamous exchange with “don’t blush, baby”.
