ENG vs IND: Kapil Dev not happy with Pataudi Trophy getting a new name, says it feels a bit odd

Kapil Dev has said he felt a bit surprised by the decision to rename the Pataudi Trophy as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He called the change “a little strange.” The trophy, given to the winner of the Test series between India and England in England, has now been renamed by the ECB to honour cricket legends James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar.

“It feels a little strange… like, does this also happen? But that’s okay, everything happens in cricket. In the end, it’s still the same game. What matters most is the cricket played on the field,” Kapil said at an event held by Three Sixty, where he was honoured for his famous 175 not out against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup.

The name change has also upset other former players, including Sunil Gavaskar, who called it “disturbing.” The Pataudi Trophy was started in 2007 and named after former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. His family has a strong connection with India-England cricket both he and his father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, captained India and played county cricket in England.

Though the name of the trophy has changed, the Pataudi legacy will still be remembered. A special Pataudi Medal will be given to the winning team’s captain at the end of the series.

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June 18 also marks 42 years since Kapil Dev’s historic innings at Tunbridge Wells, where he scored an unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. India were struggling at 17 for 5 when Kapil turned the game around with 16 fours and six sixes. His knock is still remembered as one of the best ever in one-day cricket and played a big role in India’s first World Cup win.