Gavaskar, Border at odds over fate of first Test post Hughes' demise

The cricketing legends after whom the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is named have sharply contrasting views over whether the first Test should proceed next week in light of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes' passing.

Indian batting legend and commentator Sunil Gavaskar doubted players would be in the right emotional state to contest the match and said that Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should give careful consideration to abandoning the match at the Gabba, due to start next Thursday.

However, former Australia captain Allan Border believes that the players may benefit from the distraction provided by playing cricket, News.com.au reported.

Gavaskar said that the New South Wales-South Australia match was called off immediately after Hughes was taken off the field, so he added that he believes it's something the boards would have to look at whether to abandon the match or not.

Gavaskar said that the first Test is almost a week away but added that he is sure nobody would be in a mood to play. He said that nobody would be in the right frame of mind.

Border, meanwhile, reinforced his view that the match should proceed as scheduled. He said that it would come down to the players, adding that all the other stakeholders want the game to go ahead.

Border said that his personal view is that rather than sitting around he believes the plaers might be better off playing. He said that it would be very difficult, adding that he is not shying away from that.

The former skipper said that sitting around in ones room one is going to be thinking about it 24/7. He added that as Ian Chappell said, he also believes playing cricket at least it does take ones mind off it.