Chris Gayle avoids punishment for Ramnaresh Sarwan's comments, but supports critics | Cricket News

Chris Gayle avoided punishment for his criticism of Ramnaresh Sarwan, despite comments in which he called his former West Indian partner "evil" and "snake".

Gayle made the comments on YouTube in late April after his release from the Caribbean Premier League team, Jamaica Tallawahs, where Sarwan is an assistant coach.

The CPL tournament committee is satisfied with Gayle's statement explaining his initial comments, although he has not retracted it.

"Regarding my feelings about the treatment, I keep my comments on these videos. My words were spoken from the bottom of my heart," said Gayle, who won the CPL with Jamaica in 2013 and 2016.

That being said, I must be honest and say that I now realize that certain parts of my comments can be considered as detrimental to the Antilles of cricket and to the CPL tournament and to its brand, a tournament that I sincerely appreciated not only as a party but also help build and promote.

"I never intended to harm the T20 tournament, as playing in the CPL has guaranteed me the opportunity for the past seven years to play against the big fans of the Caribbean. It is a privilege that I truly appreciate and that I have never taken for granted. "

"I made these videos with one intention: to explain to Jamaican fans the reasons for what became my second departure from the Tallawah franchise.

"It was my biggest wish to end my CPL career in Jamaica: playing in front of my local audience at Sabina Park with the franchise that had previously led to two CPL titles."

"Right now, my eyes are on the next season and the new challenge it will bring to the Zouks franchise in Saint Lucia. I look forward to seeing you there."

Gayle's new franchise, Saint Lucia Zouks, has yet to reach the CPL final in seven attempts, with its best finish in fourth place in 2016.

CPL 2020 will start in August, with the Barbados Tridents as reigning champions.