"‘It offended Sunny": Michael Clarke, Aaron Finch deliver bold verdict on Sunil Gavaskar’s BGT presentation snub

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke criticized Cricket Australia (CA) for not including Sunil Gavaskar in the trophy presentation after the fifth Test. Michael Clarke revealed that the decision was planned regarding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy presentation in advance but added that it offended Sunil Gavaskar.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, named after legends Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, was not presented as expected in Sydney. The trophy was designed to be handed over by either Gavaskar or Border, depending on the winner, but Gavaskar, who was at the boundary, was not called upon during the ceremony.

Allan Border handed the trophy to Australian captain Pat Cummins after Australia won the fifth Test. It was Australia's first win of the BGT since the 2014-15 season. The trophy, introduced in the 1996-97 India-Australia Test series, honors Border and Gavaskar, who dominated the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.

Cricket Australia Missed a Trick - Michael Clarke

Speaking on ESPN’s Around The Wicket, Michael Clarke said that CA decided that Sunil Gavaskar would present the trophy if India won. Clarke said that the plan wasn’t a surprise to Gavaskar or Border, but the decision didn’t make sense.

"I just think Cricket Australia missed a trick. Now, I know a lot of people don't know that it was planned before this year started that if India were to win, Sunny 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," Clarke told ESPN's Around The Wicket.

It Sounds to Me That It Obviously Offended Sunil Gavaskar - Michael Clarke

Clarke said that both Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border should have been involved in the trophy presentation, regardless of the winner. Clarke felt that Cricket Australia missed a chance by not having both legends on stage to present the trophy.

"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 AB and Sunny in the country commentating at the right time. You don’t get that very often," Clarke stated.

"You know, both legends of the game that the trophy is named after are still around and are in the country at the same time. So I just think we missed a trick there. I think it sounds to me that it obviously offended Sunny as well. And I can understand why. I just think they both should have been on that stage presenting that trophy, no matter who won," he added.

Whoever's Named After the Trophy, They Should Present It - Aaron Finch

In the same video, Aaron Finch was asked whether the decision was disrespectful. He agreed with Michael Clarke that Cricket Australia missed an opportunity by not having both legends present for the ceremony.

"Yeah, and probably just an oversight. You're obviously looking down the track and saying, well, whoever wins that, whoever's named after the trophy, they should present it. But like Pup (Michael Clarke) said, I totally agree. Both should have been there. Cricket Australia definitely missed a trick there," Finch said.

Also read: Michael Clarke blasts 'extreme' and 'worst' Sydney pitch as ICC delivers controversial verdict