New Delhi: The legendary Sunil Gavaskar was left disappointed over not being invited for the trophy presentation ceremony after Australia defeated India by six wickets in the 5th Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 3-1. Australia ended decade long-wait to reclaim the prestigious title after beating India comprehensively in the five-match series.
India started the series emphatically with a 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth but their campaign got derailed soon as Australia bounced back with a thumping 10-wicket win in the 2nd Test in Adelaide. There was no stopping Australia after their victory in the pink-ball Test as they went on to clinch the title with comprehensive victories in the 4th and 5th Test matches in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.
Following Australia’s memorable triumph in the series, Australia legend Allan Border was called up on the stage during the trophy ceremony to hand over the trophy to the Pat Cummins-led Australian team. Gavaskar, on the other hand, was snubbed despite being at the stadium on commentary duties. Notably, the India-Australia Test series is named the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after the legendary duo.
Gavaskar was not happy with the snub and made his disappointment known by stating that it would have been nice if he had been asked to present the trophy to Australia together alongside his good friend Border. Gavaskar was dejected to have been ignored by the organisers despite being on the ground when the trophy presentation ceremony was held.
“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 was quoted as saying by Code Sports.
“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.
Was told I won’t be needed if Australia won: Gavaskar
While he was dejected over being snubbed, Gavaskar revealed the organisers had already told him before the presentation ceremony that he wouldn’t be needed if Australia went on to lift the trophy. Gavaskar said he wasn’t sad but felt ‘perplexed’ over being ignored as he felt it should not have been about him being an Indian.
“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,” Gavaskar added.
Australia not only clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with the victory in Sydney but also knocked India out of the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final and set up a mouth-watering summit clash with South Africa at Lord’s in June this year.
Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed his disappointment on not being invited for the trophy presentation after Australia defeated India by six wickets in the 5th Test to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
