Former Indian cricketers have voiced their criticism over the renaming of the Pataudi Trophy as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ahead of the five-match Test series in England. The new name sounds fitting, as Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson are the highest run-getter and highest wicket-taker among pacers in the red-ball format, respectively.
The trophy was previously named after former India captains Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.
Former first-class cricketer Saad Bin Jung, who belongs to the Pataudi lineage, told Mid-Day:
“It’s baffling to see a cricketer permitting a trophy to be taken away from a former Indian Test captain and renamed in his own honour. This reflects a total disregard for the cricketing community and his seniors in the game.”
“It speaks volumes about how far people are willing to go for recognition — any form of fame, even if it means overshadowing those who led Indian cricket before them. In doing so, you’ve lost all respect in my eyes and in the eyes of the entire cricket fraternity,” he added.
Former India player Yajurvindra Singh, who has played four Tests, came up with a similar opinion:
“It is ridiculous to retire the Pataudi Trophy. Tiger, to me, was one of the greatest Indian cricketers to play the game. He led India for over a decade and played with one eye — that’s greatness personified! I can’t imagine a single international cricketer performing the way he did at the highest level. Milburn, Ranji, and many others tried and failed. The BCCI should have stepped in before the proposal came from the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB].”
“Discarding the Pataudi Trophy entirely feels unnecessary” – Former India player on Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Former India spinner Venkatpathy Raju, who made 81 international appearances for the Men in Blue, also felt it was unnecessary to rename the Pataudi Trophy as the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. He said (via Mid-Day):
“Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer and Anderson the highest wicket-taker [against India], so maybe that was the reasoning behind this decision, but discarding the Pataudi Trophy entirely feels unnecessary.”
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be unveiled ahead of the first Test between India and England, which begins at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20.
Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer
