Sunil Gavaskar has apologised for linking Australian cricketer David Hookes' death with the champion side's poor on-field behaviour, saying his remarks were uncalled for and inappropriate.

"On live television and radio, sometimes you respond on the spur of the moment with a remark that can cause hurt and pain to others. I realise and I accept that what I said was uncalled for and inappropriate," Gavaskar reportedly told SEN radio.

"Having said that, I hope they have the bigness of heart to forgive me for what I said about David Hookes," he was quoted as saying in SEN by the local media.

The former Indian captain recently wrote in a column that Australia were an unpopular team despite their world domination in cricket due to their "awful" on-field behaviour.

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

Gavaskar reacted by saying that the Aussies would not get away if they behaved the same way in a bar and cited the instance of Hookes who was punched outside a Melbourne hotel and died due to injury a few years ago.

Those remarks invited widespread criticism from former and current players, including his contemporary Allan Border who said the comment would put their friendship under strain.

Gavaskar, however, maintained his criticism of the Aussies.

"What I was trying to say, the West Indies in the 1970s and 80s... they were winning just about everything, but they were universally admired," he said.

"There are so many champions who are universally admired, like your Rod Laver, today there is Roger Federer.