After famous Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was left out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024–25) presentation at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after the fifth Test, Cricket Australia (CA) came under heavy fire.
After ten years, Australia regained the historic trophy with a 3-1 series victory and a six-wicket victory in the New Year’s Test. Gavaskar was left standing close to the boundary ropes as Australian legend Allan Border gave the trophy to captain Pat Cummins.
One of the most intense rivalries in Test cricket is symbolised by the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is named after two legendary cricket players: Allan Border of Australia and Sunil Gavaskar of India. Whenever possible, both legends are included in the presentation.
But CA had already agreed that Border would be the only one to give the trophy if Australia won the series, and Gavaskar would do so if India kept the title. Due to this agreement, Gavaskar, who was at the SCG for commentary duties, was not allowed to take the podium on Sunday, which created an unexpected situation. A CA spokesman, however, spoke candidly about the circumstances.
In a statement, the spokesperson acknowledged that it would have been better if Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been invited to take the stage together.
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Gavaskar himself voiced his disapproval of the event. The former captain of India said that he and his close friend Border would have wanted to present the trophy to the victorious squad.
“I would have loved to attend the presentation, no doubt. Ultimately, it’s about Australia and India and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I mean, I’m on the ground here. In my opinion, the fact that Australia prevailed in the presentation should not matter. They won because they played better cricket. It’s okay. The only reason I didn’t deliver the prize was because I’m Indian. Gavaskar told Code Sports, “I would have been delighted to present the trophy with my good friend Allan Border.”
The former India player expressed that while he is not upset with the outcome, he is confused and believes that he and Border ought to have been on the podium to present the trophy to the victorious team.
“I wouldn’t be needed if India lost or drew the series. I’m just feeling a little confused, not depressed. Both of us ought to have been present for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” he said to ABC Sport.
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