Sunil Gavaskar will likely miss out on presenting India with the perpetual Test series trophy named in his and Allan Border's honour, with the Indian legend back at home and not in Sydney.

India will collect the Border-Gavaskar trophy after the final Test in Sydney this week regardless of the result, having already guaranteed a drawn series at least which will retain the mantle after going 2-1 up in Melbourne.

Gavaskar has traditionally been on hand at the end of the Test series between the nations while in commentary, but this time remains in Mumbai on television duties with Indian broadcaster Sony.

There were reports from India that Gavaskar had not been invited by Cricket Australia for the Test, but it's understood there was a formal approach from the hosts before a miscommunication between the parties.