Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was left confused when Cricket Australia failed to hand him the presentation of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after the final Test in Sydney. Instead, the cricketing legend, Allan Border of Australia, is seen handing the trophy to winning captain Pat Cummins following Australia’s six-wicket victory that reclaimed the trophy after ten years. On the other side of the boundary, Gavaskar stood in, out of the proceedings since he was in the ground doing commentary duties.

Cricket Australia Acknowledges That Gavaskar Should’ve Been Called

Cricket Australia eventually acknowledged and cited that there had been a pre-arranged decision if they were to win at the Sydney Cricket Ground where Border would hand over the trophy. If India was to draw with 2-2 and hence retain the title, Gavaskar would hand over the trophy to the stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah. However, in that situation, no invitation was received by Gavaskar when he had gone to the presentation podium, with fans responding aggressively on social media. After the incident, Cricket Australia said the Border and Gavaskar should have brought the trophy for Cummins jointly.

“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.

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Sunil Gavaskar Reacts After Being Left Out

Speaking to Code Sports, Gavaskar expressed his dissatisfaction over the incident, though he admitted that he had been told in advance by someone that one of them was to present the trophy, but which one was going to depend on the outcome of the game.

“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.”

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“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.”