Ramnaresh Sarwan has described allegations made by Chris Gayle as "scandalous" after the West Indies batsman described his former team-mate as "worse than the coronavirus".

Gayle this week took aim with an almighty outburst in a video posted on Youtube, with Sarwan bearing the brunt.

The opener accused Sarwan of playing a major part in the Jamaica Tallawahs' decision to release him for the 2020 Caribbean Premier League season.

As well as stating Sarwan was worse than COVID-19, Gayle also labelled his ex-Windies team-mate as a "snake", "deceitful" and "distrustful", adding that he would have nothing more to do with him.

Tallawahs assistant coach Sarwan has been left stunned by Gayle's remarks, which he believes have caused "immeasurable damage to the gentleman's game of cricket".

He posted on Facebook: "Let me make it abundantly clear, I have played with Gayle from the inception of my international career and I have always respected him as an extraordinary talent, a colleague, and most importantly, a close friend. Hence my utter shock by these scandalous allegations."

Former batsman Sarwan added: "In that video, he has levelled false allegations and tarnished the reputations of a series of persons.

"I was the focus of most of the onslaughts. I reply, not because I feel that Gayle's rantings are worthy of it, but because I feel that the public's record must be set straight and also, to protect the character and careers of so many people, whose image he has sought to besmirch."

Gayle also claimed that he was sent home from a tour of Barbados 24 years ago due to a complaint Sarwan made about him watching television all night in a room they shared.

Sarwan dismissed that as "total fabrication" and rubbished the accusation that he had encouraged the Tallawahs' overseas players to disrespect Gayle.