Image: Sunil Gavaskar was excluded from the BGT 2024-25 presentation / © Mint
With the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Cricket Australia (CA) faced criticism after Sunil Gavaskar was excluded from the trophy presentation at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia claimed the series 3-1, with Allan Border presenting the trophy to Australian captain Pat Cummins. Traditionally, both Border and Gavaskar, the namesakes of the trophy, are involved in the presentation, but this time, Gavaskar was left at the boundary ropes.
CA had pre-decided that Border would present the trophy if Australia won, while Gavaskar would do so if India retained the title. They said:
We acknowledge it would have been preferable if both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been asked to go on stage.
This decision led to an unexpected situation. Gavaskar expressed his disappointment, stating he wasn’t sad but felt perplexed, insisting both legends should have been on stage together, especially given the significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On this, Gavaskar said:
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 acknowledged Australia’s victory but felt his presence alongside Border would have been more fitting. A CA spokesperson later confirmed that it would have been preferable for both to have been involved in the ceremony.