Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar expressed frustration over not being included in the post-match trophy presentation after the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Sydney.
The trophy, introduced during the 1996-97 India-Australia Test series, is named after cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. Cricket Australia (CA) had reportedly planned for Gavaskar to present the trophy to the Indian captain if they retained it, while Border would do so if Australia won.
However, the Indian great stood at the boundary as Border handed the trophy to Aussie captain Pat Cummins, following the hosts’ 3-1 series win after their victory in the Sydney Test. Following the presentation, Gavaskar was quoted by Code Sports [via Indian Express] as saying:
“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.”
“I have a great affection for AB”- Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar recently shared his admiration for Allan Border, noting that their bond began during the MCC Bicentennial celebrations in 1987. Both players scored over 10,000 runs in Test cricket, together amassing an impressive 61 centuries while dominating the 1970s and 1980s with their batting prowess.
“I am very fond of AB (Border). The relationship really blossomed when both of us played for the Rest of the World team vs MCC during the MCC Bicentennial celebrations in 1987.”
“We spent three weeks together, traveling together and playing a few matches against county before the game against MCC. We really bonded, got to know each other, the culture, the person,” said Gavaskar [via Indian Express].
“Bit like what IPL does these days, bringing people from different countries together. I feel honoured, privileged, and blessed that the series between India and Australia is named after us. Such an iconic series – it’s a blessing,” he added.
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