Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar backs down after ‘shameful’ Warne criticism sparks fierce backlash

Indian cricket great Sunil Gavaskar has backed down after his criticism of Shane Warne, just hours after the cricket legend’s death at 52, sparked fierce backlash.

Speaking on India Today‘s breaking TV news coverage of Warne’s passing on Saturday morning (AEDT), Gavaskar was asked whether he considered Warne the greatest spinner of his time.

In the video above: Gavaskar’s controversial comments on Warne

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What followed was a surprising swipe at the King of Spin, justified by his ‘ordinary’ record against India, a nation that consistently produces the best players of spin in the world.

Warne took 43 wickets in 14 matches against India, at an average of 47.18.

“For me, the Indian spinners and (Sri Lankan spinner) Muttiah Muralitharan were certainly better than Warne. Because look at Warne’s record against India. It was pretty ordinary against India,” Gavaskar said.

“Because he didn’t have much success against Indian players, who are very good players of spin bowling, I don’t think I would call him the greatest. Muralitharan with the success that he had against India would rank over him in my book.”

While Muralitharan (800) has more Test wickets than Warne (708), Warne is widely regarded as the better spinner due to the quality of opponents he consistently faced throughout his international career.

However criticism of Gavaskar mainly stemmed from the timing of his comments, given news of Warne’s passing on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui had only just emerged.

Moreover Gavaskar’s suggestion that the Australian’s lifestyle had contributed to his early death only further enraged Warne’s legion of fans, with some calling his critique “shameful”.

“He was