Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was left confused and disappointed after Cricket Australia (CA) excluded him from the presentation ceremony of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the conclusion of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. The moment turned awkward when Australia legend Allan Border handed the trophy to Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, while Gavaskar, present at the ground for commentary duties, was left standing alone at the boundary ropes.
Cricket Australia had planned the presentation well in advance, deciding that if Australia won the series, Border would present the trophy, and if India managed to retain the title with a 2-2 draw, Gavaskar would hand the trophy to stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah. However, with Australia winning the series 3-1 after a six-wicket victory in the decider, the situation became uncomfortable when Gavaskar, despite being at the venue, was not invited to join Border on the podium.
The scene quickly attracted attention and backlash from fans on social media, prompting Cricket Australia to admit its mistake. A spokesperson from the Australian board conceded that the decision was wrong and acknowledged that both Border and Gavaskar should have been invited to present the trophy together.
“We acknowledge it would have been preferable if both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been asked to go on stage,” the CA spokesperson said, admitting the misstep.
Gavaskar’s Reaction: ‘Just Because I Am an Indian…’
Sunil Gavaskar, visibly perplexed by the snub, spoke candidly about the incident in an interview with Code Sports. He expressed his desire to be part of the moment, especially given the significance of the trophy’s name.
“I certainly would have loved to have been there for the presentation. After all, it is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and it is about Australia and India,” Gavaskar said. “I mean, I am here on the ground. To me, it should not matter that Australia won when it comes to the presentation. They played better cricket, so they won. That’s fine. Just because I am an Indian (I did not present the trophy). I would have been happy to present the trophy with my good friend Allan Border.”
Despite his frustration, Gavaskar, who had been informed ahead of the match that only one of them would present the trophy depending on the outcome, did not express anger but instead conveyed confusion.
“If India didn’t win or draw the series, I wouldn’t be required,” he explained in a conversation with ABC Sport. “I’m not feeling sad, but I’m just feeling a little perplexed. It’s the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, both of us should have been there.”
A Missed Opportunity
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, one of the most prestigious in world cricket, symbolizes the long-standing rivalry and camaraderie between India and Australia. For both Border and Gavaskar—two of the greatest batters to have ever played the game—the absence of both legends at the podium was a missed opportunity for Cricket Australia to properly honor the trophy’s history and the contributions of both nations to its legacy.
In the end, Gavaskar’s call for recognition was not just about personal disappointment but a desire to celebrate the rich history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has come to define the rivalry between the two cricketing powerhouses. Cricket Australia’s admission of its mistake, however, serves as a reminder that honoring the history and mutual respect between the two countries is just as important as the result on the field.
