'Just because I am Indian?': Sunil Gavaskar reacts on being ignored to present Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Allan Border

Sunil Gavaskar reacts on being ignored to present Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Allan Border (PTI/File Photo)

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was vividly upset after being ignored to present the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with counterpart Allan Border at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. The hosts led by Pat Cummins defeated India by six wickets in the fifth and final match of the series and won the contest 3-1. Australia reclaimed the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in ten years and the outcome also helped them secure a berth for the World Test Championship (WTC) finals, which will be played from June 11 at Lord's.

Australian legend Border presented the trophy to the home side but Gavaskar despite being present at the venue was ignored, which the latter was not happy about. "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 would have been happy to present the trophy with my good friend Allan Border," he added.

Sunny, snubbed.Sunil Gavaskar wasn't present at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy presentation. He says he's "perplexed" by his omission from the ceremony.#AUSvIND analysis: https://t.co/FOmODiTxdmHear Grandstand at Stumps: https://t.co/kENzXsIHWI#BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/eyXHuE1QOa
ABC SPORT (@abcsport) January 5, 2025

The history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy dates back to 1996-97, which was majorly dominated by Australia in the initial years. However, the contest saw a change in trend as India didn't allow Australia to get their hands at the silverware for the last decade, which include two triumphs on Australian soil.

The rivalry has got grown to become one of the biggest in Test cricket, drawing record crowds at multiple venues, which includes an 87-year-old attendance record at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) last week. The total attendance was recorded at 3,73,691 over the five days at the MCG, surpassing the previous mark of 3,50,534 from 1937.

Cricket Australia responds

Cricket Australia (CA) later confirmed that Gavaskar was aware he would have presented the award to Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah if the tourists had won the Sydney Test and retained the trophy. "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.