Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has finally shared his thoughts on the controversy surrounding the renaming of the India-England Test series trophy. The series, previously known as the Pataudi Trophy, has now been renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board).
This decision received backlash from fans and cricket experts, as the Pataudi Trophy honored Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, a former Indian captain and a respected name in Indian cricket history.
Read more: Cricket Controversy: Why Kapil Dev Finds Trophy Name Change Odd?
What Sachin Said
Sachin clarified that the decision to change the name was made by the BCCI and ECB, and he was informed only after the decision was finalized.
“When I heard about it, I immediately called the Pataudi family to talk to them,” Sachin said in an interview with RevSportz. “I’ve always respected the contribution of the Pataudi family to Indian cricket.”
He also mentioned that Pataudi Sr. played for both England and India, and Tiger Pataudi was one of India’s finest captains. Though Sachin never saw them play, he has heard stories that continue to inspire him.
Efforts to Keep the Pataudi Legacy Alive
Sachin said that after talking to the Pataudi family, he reached out to Jay Shah, the ICC President and BCCI Secretary. He requested that something must be done to keep the Pataudi legacy alive.
Thanks to these efforts, it was decided that the winning captain of the series will now receive the ‘Pataudi Medal of Excellence’, ensuring the legacy still remains part of the series.
Also See: No disrespect to Anderson and Tendulkar, but renaming the Pataudi Trophy isn’t right
Why England Matters to Sachin
Sachin also shared his special connection with England:
- His first-ever flight was to England in 1988.
- His first international century was at Old Trafford, England.
- He was the first non-English player to play for Yorkshire.
- Even his mother-in-law is English, making it a personal connection.
He expressed that he feels honored and humbled to have the trophy named after both himself and England’s legendary bowler Jimmy Anderson.
The first Test match of the newly named Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy starts on Friday, June 20.
