Cricket Australia Breaks Silence on Controversial Sunil Gavaskar Trophy Presentation Snub in Sydney

The Australian board had decided in advance that if Australia emerged victorious at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Border would present the trophy to the home team. Conversely, if India managed to retain the title by leveling the series at 2-2 with a victory in the fifth Test, Gavaskar would present the trophy to stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah. However, an uncomfortable situation arose at the venue on Sunday as Gavaskar, who was present at the ground for commentary duties, was not invited to the podium.

Following Gavaskar's reaction and the backlash from fans on social media, Cricket Australia conceded it was the wrong decision and that both Border and Gavaskar should have handed the trophy together to 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.

'Just because I am an Indian...'

Gavaskar, speaking to Code Sports following the snub, was quite displeased at Cricket Australia.

“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.”

The veteran India batter, however, admitted in a conversation with ABC Sport that he was informed prior to the Sydney decider that only one between him and Border would present the trophy depending on the result.

"If India didn't win or draw the series I wouldn't be required," he said. "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."

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