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The Australian cricket team finally ended their trophy drought of Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) on Sunday, January 5 when they clinched the fifth Test by six wickets and won the five-match series by 3-1 margin in Sydney. However, in a shocking move, former Australia cricketer Allan Border, who shares his name in the trophy with Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, was the only one invited for the presentation ceremony.
While not much was known before former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar himself expressed disappointment on being snubbed from the presentation as Allan Border handed the trophy to Australia skipper Pat Cummins. Speaking after the completion of the Sydney Test, Gavaskar told Code Sports, “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.”
“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,” he added.
Cricket Australia acknowledges Sunil Gavaskar’s “perplexed” take on BGT snub
However, seemingly Cricket Australia had made their decision long back regarding the trophy presentation, they finally acknowledged Sunil Gavaskar’s take on the snub. "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 in a statement.
It is to be noted that Cricket Australia had planned that if Australia won, the trophy would be presented by Allan Border, and if India had pulled off a win in Sydney, Gavaskar would have handed the trophy to stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah. However, Sunil Gavaskar admitted on being informed of the same prior to the Sydney Test, stating, "I was told just before the Test started that was going to be the situation. If India didn't win or draw the series I wouldn't be required...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."
