Sunny says sorry

Sunil Gavaskar has apologised for linking Australian cricketer David Hookes8217; death with the champion side8217;s poor on-field behaviour, saying his remarks were 8220;uncalled for and inappropriate8221;. 8220;On live television and radio, sometimes you respond on the spur of the moment with a remark that can cause hurt and pain.

8220;I realise and I accept that what I said was uncalled for and inappropriate,8221; Gavaskar reportedly told SEN radio here. 8220;Having said that, I hope they have the bigness of heart to forgive me for what I said about David Hookes,8221; he was quoted as saying. The former Indian captain recently wrote in a column that Australia were an 8220;unpopular8221; team despite their world domination in cricket due to their 8220;awful8221; on-field behaviour.

It invited a stinging response from Ricky Ponting who drew attention to when Gavaskar almost walked off the field with his batting partner during a Test match in Mebourne in the early 80s.