(Image source from: REUTERS)
The England versus India Test series is set to commence in Leeds on June 20 and will compete for the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy. Previously, the series between India and England played in England was known as the Pataudi Trophy, a title that was first introduced in 2007 to celebrate 75 years since the inaugural Test match between the two nations. In contrast, the Test matches held in India are referred to as the Anthony de Mello Trophy, named after a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This change has not been met with universal approval. As reported, the BCCI has 'requested' the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to designate one of the post-match awards in honor of Pataudi.
"We have no jurisdiction over their decision regarding the naming of their series, as this is their home series. We have asked them to name one of the post-match trophies after Pataudi, and they will get back to us," a BCCI representative stated. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, acclaimed as one of India's premier cricket captains, passed away in New Delhi in 2011 after succumbing to a lung infection. He is remembered as an extraordinary Indian captain, having played 46 Test matches and scored 2,793 runs at an average of 34.91, with an unbeaten run of 203 being his highest. Over his career, he achieved six centuries and 16 half-centuries. His father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, had also captained the Indian team.
While it is unusual for a trophy to be 'retired' in cricket, there have been instances in the past. An example is the Wisden Trophy, awarded in matches between England and the West Indies, which was rebranded as the Richards-Botham Trophy. Sachin Tendulkar, a legendary figure in Indian cricket, holds the record as the highest run-scorer in Test history with a remarkable 15,921 runs over 200 matches from 1989 to 2013. Meanwhile, James Anderson stands as England's all-time leading wicket-taker, accumulating 704 wickets in 188 Tests. Tendulkar ended his career in 2013, while Anderson concluded his in 2024.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar voiced his discontent with the ECB following its announcement to 'retire' the Pataudi Trophy. "The troubling news that the ECB intends to retire the Pataudi Trophy, awarded to the series winners in Test matches between England and India, is quite alarming. This marks the first instance I have encountered where a trophy honoring individual players is set to be retired, although the decision rests solely with the ECB, and the BCCI may have been notified. This move reflects a complete disregard for the invaluable contributions made by the Pataudis to the sport in both England and India," Gavaskar expressed in a column for Sportstar.
A new trophy might be established, potentially named after more contemporary players. It is hoped that if an Indian player is approached regarding this, he will have the wisdom to graciously decline. This choice would not only demonstrate respect for two former captains of India but also help him avoid the irony of having a trophy named in his honor, only for it to be retired after his passing. Although the England and Wales Cricket Board has every right to name the trophy after one of their players, many Indian cricket fans, myself included, sincerely wish that any Indian cricketer would recognize the implications of accepting, to prevent a recurrence of what happened with the Pataudi Trophy. The decision to 'retire' the Pataudi Trophy has also had a personal impact on Sharmila Tagore, the actress and widow of the late Tiger Pataudi. "I have not received any communication from them, but the ECB did send a letter to Saif notifying him about the retirement of the trophy," Sharmila mentioned to HT a few months back. "It is up to the BCCI to determine whether to acknowledge Tiger's legacy or not."
