Sachin Tendulkar intervened to retain the historic Pataudi Trophy name for the India-England Test series. BCCI and ECB dropped the proposed Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, respecting the legacy of the Pataudi family.
Mumbai | June 16 ,2025: In a welcome move for cricket traditionalists, the iconic Pataudi Trophy will remain the official name for the Test series between India and England, following the timely intervention of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.
Some weeks ago, a joint decision by the BCCI and ECB to rename the series as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy had sparked widespread backlash, as it was seen as sidelining the historical significance of the Pataudi family’s contribution to Indo-English cricket.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Tendulkar personally reached out to both boards and requested that the original name be preserved. Acknowledging the legacy of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his father Iftikhar Ali Khan, Tendulkar reportedly felt that history and sentiment should be prioritized over new branding.
The result: the Pataudi Trophy name will stay, and the Test series between India and England will continue to honor the legacy of the Pataudi family, who hold unique significance in both countries’ cricketing histories.
Jay Shah, who also serves as the ICC President, supported the call to retain the traditional name. An ECB official confirmed to Cricbuzz, “Yes, the Pataudi Trophy reference will remain in the India-England series, that is the plan.”
It is also likely that the winning captain will receive a special medal in the name of MAK Pataudi, adding to the ceremonial importance.
The now-scrapped idea was to unveil the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s during the WTC Final (Australia vs South Africa). However, the event was postponed following the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 241 people.
Though the Anderson-Tendulkar pairing acknowledged two of the greatest in cricket—James Anderson, who retired in 2024 with 704 Test wickets, and Sachin Tendulkar, the all-time highest Test run-scorer with 15,921 runs—critics argued that it ignored the rich context of the Pataudi legacy.
The Pataudi Trophy was instituted in 2007 and is named after Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, India’s youngest captain at 21, and a player remembered for his bold leadership and flair. His father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, holds the rare honor of representing both India and England in Test cricket—a fitting symbol for a bilateral Test series between the two nations.
By choosing to retain the original name, cricket’s custodians have shown that heritage still holds its place, even in a game constantly evolving.
Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/newsdotz/
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@NewsDotz
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573903448264
Twitter – https://x.com/NewsDotz