• Source:JND
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President, Rajeev Shukla, has criticized Cricket Australia (CA) for excluding former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar from the presentation ceremony of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after the fifth Test in Sydney. Shukla expressed disappointment over the snub, emphasizing that the trophy itself is named after Gavaskar and former Australian captain Allan Border, highlighting their contributions to cricket.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, contested between India and Australia, is a symbol of the rich cricketing rivalry between the two nations. Gavaskar’s exclusion from the presentation ceremony has sparked controversy, particularly after Australia ended India’s decade-long dominance of the series with a 3-1 victory.

The series saw fierce competition and thrilling moments, culminating in Australia reclaiming the trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Taking to X, Rajeev Shukla said that it happened at a time when Gavaskar was present in the stadium. He added that both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar together at the presentation ceremony would have been a rare visual.

"I fully agree with Neil. It happened when Gavaskar was present in the stadium. Trophy is in their names and one of them was not invited to podium. After four years who knows whether both will be present at the stadium? Both together would have been a rare visual," Rajeev Shukla wrote on X.

Australia's dominant 3-1 series win has reignited their rivalry with India, with the victory serving as a strong statement in international cricket and eliminating the visitors from the World Test Championship (WTC) race.

Gavaskar's exclusion from the presentation ceremony left a bittersweet note for the cricketing legend, who has long been synonymous with the fierce competition between the two teams.

Earlier, Gavaskar, who was left out of the presentation ceremony, shared his thoughts on the situation, saying, "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," as quoted by ABC SPORT.