Sachin Tendulkar breaks silence on 'Pataudi Trophy' controversy ahead of ENG vs IND series

Sachin Tendulkar has finally addressed the recent controversy surrounding the renaming of the India-England Test series trophy to the 'Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.' The move, jointly announced by the BCCI and ECB, has replaced the long-standing 'Pataudi Trophy,' which honored the legendary Indian captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. This decision sparked considerable backlash from fans and experts who felt that the legacy of Pataudi should not have been sidelined.

Speaking to RevSportz, Tendulkar revealed that the decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy was entirely that of the cricket boards. “Let me then tell you the full thing. First things first, the decision to retire the trophy rested with the BCCI and the ECB. Only after they had taken the decision did they communicate that to me,” he clarified. Tendulkar also expressed deep respect for the Pataudi family's contributions to Indian cricket, acknowledging both Pataudi senior’s and junior’s impact on the sport. “I am conscious of the contribution they have made to Indian cricket… those stories inspire us all,” he said.

Determined to ensure that the legacy was not erased, Tendulkar took personal steps to keep it alive. “That’s why I was determined to ensure that the legacy was kept intact,” he stated. He further revealed that he had conversations with the Pataudi family and followed up with discussions with ICC President Jay Shah, the BCCI, and the ECB to explore ways to honor the Pataudi legacy.

Pataudi Medal and England Connection

Thanks to Tendulkar’s efforts, a new honor—the Pataudi Medal of Excellence—will now be awarded to the winning captain of the series, preserving the Pataudi name in a different form. Tendulkar emphasized the importance of this outcome, stating, “I spoke to Mr. Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB, and mentioned to them that something had to be done to ensure the legacy stayed on.”

Reflecting on the naming of the trophy after himself and James Anderson, Tendulkar shared his deep personal connection with England. “Not many know that the first-ever flight that I took was also to England in 1988... My first international hundred was at Old Trafford… I was the first non-English cricketer to play for Yorkshire... my mother-in-law is English... I feel humbled that the trophy was named after Jimmy Anderson... and myself.”