A cricket icon has been slated by people online for his recent remarks about Shane Warne following his death.
In the wake of Warney's tragic passing, tributes have come flooding in from some of the biggest and best names within the sport.
So when ex-India captain Sunil Gavaskar was asked on his thoughts of Warne as a player, many viewers expected him to wing his praises - but they were sorely mistaken.
Asked by India Today whether Warne was - in his eyes - the greatest spin bowler of all-time, Gavaskar said: "No, I wouldn't say that, no. For me the Indian spinners and Muttiah Muralitharan were certainly better than Shane Warne.
"Look at Shane Warne's record against India - it was pretty ordinary.
Sunil Gavaskar uses Shane Warne's death an an opportunity to say that Indian spinners and Muralitharan were better, because of their records against India.
- Jack Mendel :newspaper2:️ (@Mendelpol) March 5, 2022
Honestly, Sunny, it's not the time.. could have just sidestepped it.
The body isn't even cold yethttps://t.co/jiTzlCQxAX
"In India, he got five wickets only once in Nagpur, and that too because... Zaheer Khan swung wildly against him to give Shane Warne a fifer. Because he did not have much success against Indian players who were very good players of spin bowling, I don't think I would call him the greatest.
"Certainly I think Muttiah Muralitharan with the success he had against India, I would rank him over Warne in my book."
In many people's eyes, Warne is the greatest spinner of all-time
Muralitharan (800) did finish his career with more wickets than Warne (708), however, Gavaskar's untimely comments appeared to spark an angry reaction from fans.
Cricket fans flocked to social media to slam Gavaskar, describing his comments as "disgusting" and "shameful".
Some people have even called for him to step down from future forms of public speaking.
This is utterly disgusting&classless Mr.#Gavaskar& @sardesairajdeep.
- Abhi (@abhi_is_online) March 5, 2022
Is this the time to ask "Do you think he is best spinner of all time?"& gavaskar is discussing Warne records&stats without dodging it
He just passed away.Have some sense.@rohangava9 @IndiaToday #ShaneWarne https://t.co/pcg4tjevKO
Very poor commentary by Sunil Gavaskar..... He refused to call Shane Warne the greatest spinner ever because his number in India and against Indian batsman is not good.... So shameful.#Disgraceful
- Sadaf Shamim (@imSadafShamim) March 5, 2022
Gavaskar needs to be banned from attending interviews and all!
- Pandemic Pep (@afc_anubhav) March 5, 2022
That comment on Warne was so disgusting! Really felt bad
Hated Gavaskar when he had spoken crap after David Hookes' death.
- Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) March 5, 2022
And now him nitpicking on Warney's stats on the day of his death feels so triggering.
Surprising that it comes from a man who has spent so many years on the mic on international telivision.
Sunil Gavaskar should retire from public speaking .. so shameful
- Rishi Kapoor (@Rishikapoor1980) March 4, 2022
Shocking tone deafness from Gavaskar. A). How can you take a public platform and air your personal theories about the tragedy B). How can you take this as a moment to one up a player because your fav won a head to head C). Not relevant but how nationalist do you have to be to-
- Dweplea (@dweplea) March 4, 2022
This interview is such a disgusting "tribute" to Shane Warne by Gavaskar. As per usual, chatting some BS https://t.co/n5DqBIbM4x
- Seshadhri Subramanian (@FootySesh) March 5, 2022
Shane Warne, you were a legend, not because of the bowler you were, but because of the character you were. And Sunil Gavaskar, shame on you for not understanding this and consistently bombing people with his bowling stats. #CricketAustralia #ShaneWarne #Gavaskar #RIPShaneWarne
- Seekh Kebab (@3nplus1problem) March 5, 2022
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
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