“It just doesn’t make sense” - Michael Clarke opens up on the Sunil Gavaskar controversy in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke slammed Cricket Australia (CA) for deciding not to include Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar in the trophy presentation after the conclusion of the India-Australia series in Sydney. Even before the start of the series, CA planned to have Allan Border present the trophy if Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and likewise, Gavaskar if India triumphed.

Thus, with Australia clinching the five-match affair 3-1, Border presented the Trophy to Aussie skipper Pat Cummins, while Gavaskar stood near the boundary rope and clapped.

Speaking about the same on ESPN Australia, Clarke said [quoted by Indian Express]:

"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."

He added:

"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. I think we’re very lucky to have both Allan Border and Sunny Gavaskar in the country, commentating at the right time. You don’t get that very often. Both legends of the game that the trophy is named are still around and are in the country at the same time. So I just think we missed a trick there."

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was first instituted for the India-Australia Test series in 1996/97.

India had held the coveted trophy since 2016/17, having beaten Australia in four bilateral Test series in a row, before surrendering it on this occasion.

"It obviously offended Sunny" - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke felt it was justified that Sunil Gavaskar was offended by CA's move to have only Allan Border present the trophy to the winners of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Gavaskar openly stated being unhappy about not being present during the trophy presentation.

"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 said.

Clarke responded to Gavaskar's remarks by saying:

"I think it sounds to me that, you know, it obviously offended Sunny as well, and I can understand why. I think they both should have been on that stage presenting that trophy no matter who won."

Meanwhile, the series result meant Australia qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final to take on South Africa. India, however, were eliminated from final contention for the first time in WTC history, having qualified in the previous two editions in 2021 and 2023.