'Both should have presented the trophy' - Michael Clarke on Sunil Gavaskar's trophy presentation snub

Former Australian captain, Michael Clarke, openly criticized Cricket Australia (CA) for side lining Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar during the trophy presentation of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Clarke called the decision a missed opportunity, and the need for both legends to be honoured equally.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, named after Australian great Allan Border and Indian batting icon Gavaskar, celebrates the legacies of both players. This year's series ended with Baggy Green defeating India 3-1. The final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) concluded with Border alone presenting the trophy to Australian skipper Pat Cummins, even though Gavaskar was present at the venue. The decision gained criticism from various quarters, with Gavaskar himself expressing disappointment.

"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. I would have been happy to present the trophy with my good friend Allan Border," Gavaskar said on Code Sports.

Recently, Clarke, speaking to ESPN Australia, opined on CA’s handling of the situation during the trophy presentation in Sydney on January 5. The former revealed that no matter who eventually won the trophy, both the legends should have been equally honoured.

"I just think Cricket Australia missed a trick. Now I know a lot of people don’t know that it was planned before the series started, that if India were to win, Sunil Gavaskar would present the trophy. If Australia were to win, Alan Border would present the trophy. So it wasn’t a surprise to those two guys. But to me, it just doesn’t make sense. Like, they’re both there. No matter who won, in my opinion, they both should have walked out, they both should have been on stage, they both should have presented the trophy," the former Australian skipper said.

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We acknowledge it would have been preferable if both had been asked to go on stage: CA

CA had pre-decided that if Australia won the series, Border alone would present the trophy, and if India retained the title, Gavaskar would take the honour. However, CA had given out a statement regarding the incident.

"We acknowledge it would have been preferable if both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been asked to go on stage,” the spokesperson said in a statement.