"He said, I caused them to lose the game" Gujarat Titans batter makes huge revelation on his stand-off with CPL team owner

Explosive West Indian all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford has opened up on his standoff with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise owner which led to his abrupt expulsion. The left-handed batter revealed he did not like the owner blaming him directly for the defeat.

The incident dates back to October 4 when Cricbuzz reported it, with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots team management likely asking him to leave. The CPL and franchise did not respond when asked to comment on the issue and personal reasons were likely the justification.

Meanwhile, Rutherford spoke to Cricbuzz on the sidelines of IL20 and said he was hurt by how the owner didn't choose to respect a player. The 26-year-old opined that the period after a defeat was the wrong time to message any player and that his response landed him in trouble.

"It's important that you respect the player because at the end of the day, it's my job and this is what I want to do. So I don't think I purposely want to not perform. After a game against Barbados (which) we lost, the owner texted me about making the team lose. He said, I caused them to lose the game. I responded in a way. That is not a good time to message a player."

"We are professionals, we have feelings. So obviously when you're not doing well, you just want to reflect. So, when he texted me at the wrong time, I responded to him. That was where they decided for me to leave."

The franchise's performance in CPL 2024, finishing last, was capped by Rutherford's struggles in the four matches he played. The youngster managed only 35 runs at 8.75.

"I think he just got off of emotions" - Sherfane Rutherford on CPL team owner

Sherfane Rutherford. (Image Credits: Getty)

Rutherford blamed the franchise owner for not understanding that cricketers also have mixed days in their careers, adding:

"The owner didn't play any cricket. So obviously if you never play the sport, you would not understand the top days, the good days and the bad days - they are always there in cricket. So it's just emotions. I think he just got off of emotions. As adults, we need to control that because at the end of the day, our decision can take us farther. So I think it was him wrongdoing."

Meanwhile, the left-hander will ply his trade for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.