Cricket Australia snubs Sunil Gavaskar for Border-Gavaskar trophy presentation

Gavaskar said that the only communication that the Australian board had with him about the presentation was in May when then CEO James Sutherland asked him about his availability.

Former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar will not be present at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the Border-Gavaskar trophy presentation after the four-Test series between India and Australia concludes on January 7. India lead the series 2-1 after a historic win in the Boxing Day Test at MCG.

What’s very bewildering to notice that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which both countries have been playing for since 1996 will be presented only be Allan Border. According to a report in MID-DAY on Tuesday, Gavaskar, who has commentating for the broadcasters during the series from a studio in Mumbai, has not received any invitation from the host board, Cricket Australia.

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Gavaskar said that the only communication that the Australian board had with him about the presentation was in May when then CEO James Sutherland asked him about his availability. However, Sutherland resigned following the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal.

Cricket Australia’s Head of Communications Tim Whittaker revealed that two emails have been sent to Gavaskar, who denied any communication after his correspondence with Sutherland. Whittaker refused to disclose details of the emails. “We won’t be disclosing personal information to media outlets,” he said and added that if Gavaskar wants to contact him, then he “should he wish to have the correspondence forwarded”.

Gavaskar seemed to be unfazed by the issue. Back in 2015, a similar incident occurred he said he had not been invited for the ceremony despite him being in Australia for commentary.

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“To be honest, I am disappointed. In today’s day and age, all it takes is an email, maybe a month earlier, to check I’m going to be in Australia. I would love to have my good mate Allan Border there as well,” Gavaskar had told ABC radio on the first day of that Sydney Test.

This time around, Gavaskar is adamant not to go to Sydney even if Cricket Australia send him an invitation at the 12^th hour. “I would have considered going if the invite had come before the series started as I would have been able to inform the broadcasters (Sony Pictures Network) of that so they could make alternate arrangements,” Gavaskar said.