Former Indian cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar could miss presentation ceremony of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7. The former Indian skipper has stated that he hasn’t received any invitation from Cricket Australia so far.
“I was sent a letter by Cricket Australia's Chief Executive, James Sutherland in May asking about my availability to present the Border-Gavaskar trophy and I would have been happy to go. But he stepped down and there has been no further contact,” Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar has traditionally been on hand at the end of the Test series between the nations while in the commentary, but this time remains in Mumbai on television duties with Indian broadcaster Sony
Cricket Australia has since undergone an overhaul in the aftermath of the ball-tampering controversy in March, with Sutherland being one of the employees to depart the scene.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli will retain the trophy they won at home last year as they taken an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-Test series.
The visitors won the first Test in Adelaide before being humbled by the hosts in Perth. However, they fought back to claim the Boxing Day Test by 131 runs and take a 2-1 lead.
The fourth and final Test begins on Thursday, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India have announced a 13-man squad from the final playing XI has to be selected. Pacer Ishant Sharma has been benched for the final Test while KL Rahul is back in place of Rohit Sharma who flew back home to see his newly-born daughter.
After missing all the games so far in the series, wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been inducted in the 13-man squad.