Gavaskar apologises for comments

Sunil Gavaskar has today apologised for his comments regarding the death of David Hookes in a war of words with Ricky Ponting in the lead up to the World Cup.

Gavaskar initially criticised the Australian’s on-field behaviour and when Ponting hit back, the former Indian opener responded: “There’s the example of the late David Hookes. Would the Australians who use that kind of language on the field, and not all of them do, in a bar and would they get away with it? Would they have a fist coming at their face or not?”

But today, Gavaskar apologised for the comments that drew widespread condemnation from the Australian camp.

The comments, Gavaskar said, were “uncalled for and inappropriate”.

“I do regret it. On the breakfast show I do with ESPN, I read out a statement regretting what I had said,” he said in an interview with a Melbourne radio station today.

“On live television and radio, sometimes you respond on the spur of the moment with a remark that can cause hurt and pain to others.

“I realise and I accept that what I said was uncalled for and inappropriate.

“Having said that, I hope they (Hookes’ family) have the bigness of heart to forgive me for what I said about David Hookes.”

Gavaskar also said he was not in a feud with Ricky Ponting and their relationship had not been seriously affected by the incident.

“I am not at loggerheads with Ricky Ponting, I admire him for his batting and for the way he has come back after the Ashes loss,” he said.

“Cricketers hardly ever hold too much against each other. I’m pretty certain the next time Ricky and I meet up, we’ll be fine, we’ll be able to shake hands, share a joke and carry on with our lives.”