Cricket Australia responds to Sunil Gavaskar's concerns over trophy presentation

Cricket Australia (CA) has addressed the discontent expressed by Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar regarding his exclusion from the presentation ceremony of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gavaskar, a pivotal figure in the trophy's history, expressed disappointment at not being invited to hand over the award after the fifth Test between India and Australia.

In a statement, Cricket Australia clarified that Gavaskar was informed beforehand that he would have presented the trophy to India's captain Jasprit Bumrah if the Indian team had retained the title. However, with Australia reclaiming the trophy after a decade, the honor was given to Allan Border, who presented it to Australian captain Pat Cummins.

"We acknowledge it would have been preferable if both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been asked to go on stage," a CA spokesperson said, recognizing the oversight.

Despite being at the venue, Gavaskar was notably absent from the stage during the presentation. Speaking to Code Sports, he voiced his disappointment:

"I certainly would have loved to have been there for the presentation. After all, it is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, representing both Australia and India. The fact that Australia won should not have mattered. They played better cricket, and I would have been happy to present the trophy with my good friend Allan Border."

Since its inception in 1996-97, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has become one of Test cricket's most celebrated rivalries. This year’s five-match series saw record-breaking crowds, including an 87-year-old attendance milestone shattered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

While Gavaskar's absence from the stage has sparked debate, the series has further cemented the enduring significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in cricketing history.