Cricket Australia (CA) has responded to legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar’s disappointment over not being invited to present the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after the fifth Test between India and Australia. Gavaskar expressed his discontent at being excluded from the presentation ceremony, despite being at the venue. However, CA clarified that Gavaskar had been informed earlier that he would present the trophy to Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah if India retained it. Since Australia won the series, Allan Border was chosen to present the trophy to Australian captain Pat Cummins.
In a statement, a CA spokesperson acknowledged the oversight, stating, “We recognize that it would have been preferable for both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar to share the stage during the presentation.”
Border handed the trophy to the Australian team, but Gavaskar, despite his presence, was not included in the ceremony. Addressing the issue, Gavaskar expressed his disappointment, saying, “It shouldn’t matter who wins when it comes to the presentation. It’s the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, representing Australia and India. I would have been delighted to present it alongside my good friend Allan Border.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, contested between India and Australia since 1996-1997, has become one of Test cricket’s most celebrated rivalries. This five-match series, won by Australia, set record attendance figures at several venues, including breaking an 87-year-old record at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
