Picture Credit: Instagram
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar on Monday apologized for making an insensitive remark on Shane Warne after the latter passed away last week. In an Instagram post, Gavaskar released a video of himself accepting the fact that he regrets saying that, "Warne was not the greatest spinner to play the game." Notably, Gavaskar received massive flak from cricket fans for making such a remark after less than 24 hours.
Gavaskar, in his video, said, "Last week was very traumatic for cricket fraternity as we lost two of the greatest players - Rodney Marsh and Shane Warne. Both the players graced the cricket with their services." Adding further, he said, "I was asked whether Warne was the best spinner of all time, I only shared my honest opinion."
However, Gavaskar admitted that he shouldn't have made such an evaluation and suggested that such a question by an anchor should not have been asked. Gavaskar, in his video, reiterated that Warne was one of the greatest players to grace the game. "Rodney Marsh was also one of the best wicket-keepers of all time," added Gavaskar.
Watch the video here:
Undoubtedly, Shane Warne was one the greatest leg-spinner of all time, as he finished his career by clinching record-shattering 708 Test wickets. His standout performance came in Australia's World Cup campaign in 1999, when he was rewarded Player of the Match in semi-finals and final. Wisden Cricketers' Almanack recognized Shane's achievements by naming him one of its Five Cricketers of the Twentieth Century. Shane finished his international career with 708 Test wickets and a further 293 wickets in One-Day Internationals, placing him second in the list of all-time international wicket-takers behind his great friend and rival Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka (1,347). Shane also captained Australia in 11 One-Day Internationals, winning 10 and losing just once.