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London: In a significant move to preserve the legacy of one of Indian cricket’s most iconic figures, Sachin Tendulkar has personally intervened to ensure that the name of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi remains associated with the India–England Test series.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had initially decided to rename the series as the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, marking the contributions of James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar, two Test cricket greats. However, the decision to drop the Pataudi Trophy, which had been awarded since 2007, was met with significant backlash.
Tendulkar, regarded as the most prolific Test batsman in history, stepped in to request ECB and BCCI officials to retain Pataudi's name in some capacity. According to media reports, the ECB has accepted the request, and a new Pataudi Medal will be awarded to the winning captain of the Test series, keeping the legacy alive.
Origin of the Pataudi Trophy
Introduced in 2007 to mark 75 years since India’s debut in Test cricket, the Pataudi Trophy honored Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who became India’s youngest Test captain at 21. His father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, holds the rare distinction of representing both England and India in Test cricket.
Why Anderson–Tendulkar?
The choice of naming the new trophy after Anderson and Tendulkar stemmed from their monumental Test records:
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Sachin Tendulkar played a record 200 Test matches, scoring 15,921 runs, the most by any player.
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James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket last year, played 188 Tests, and with 704 wickets, is the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history.
Overview: Upcoming India–England Test Series
The upcoming five-match Test series between India and England promises high-stakes cricket. Here’s the full schedule:
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1st Test: June 20 – Headingley, Leeds
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2nd Test: June 28 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
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3rd Test: July 8 – Lord’s, London
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4th Test: July 18 – Old Trafford, Manchester
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5th Test: July 31 – The Oval, London
India will look to end its 17-year drought, having last won a Test series in England in 2007, the very year the Pataudi Trophy was instituted.