Mumbai, India – June 15, 2025 – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly taken a significant step to address the widespread backlash over the renaming of the India-England Test series trophy from the “Pataudi Trophy” to the “Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.” Amidst fervent criticism from cricket legends, fans, and the Pataudi family, the BCCI has requested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s legacy is still honored.
The Renaming Controversy Ignites
The controversy erupted when the ECB, with an apparent nod from the BCCI, announced that the Test series between India and England played in England would henceforth be known as the “Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.” This decision, aimed at celebrating two modern-day icons in Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, was formally unveiled on the opening day of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on June 11, just ahead of the first Test in Leeds on June 20.
The Pataudi Trophy, instituted in 2007 to commemorate 75 years of India’s Test cricket journey, held immense historical significance. It honored both Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the only cricketer to have played Tests for both England and India, and his son, Mansoor Ali Khan “Tiger” Pataudi, a visionary captain who transformed Indian cricket.
Widespread Backlash and Calls for Reconsideration
The move was met with immediate and strong condemnation across the cricketing fraternity. Many saw it as a disregard for history and tradition, with critics arguing that while Tendulkar and Anderson are undoubtedly deserving of honor, it should not come at the expense of a well-established legacy.
- Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain, termed the decision “insensitive and lacking historical perspective,” questioning the precedent of retiring a trophy named after individual players.
- Harsha Bhogle, renowned cricket commentator, expressed that while he admired both Tendulkar and Anderson, the renaming “misses the deep connect” the Pataudis had with both cricketing nations.
- The Pataudi family, including Sharmila Tagore (Tiger Pataudi’s wife) and Soha Ali Khan (his daughter), voiced their disappointment, highlighting Tiger Pataudi’s immense contribution to Indian cricket, particularly in its formative years. Soha Ali Khan stated it was “disheartening” and expressed hope for her father’s remembrance in some meaningful way.
- Numerous fans, historians, and journalists echoed these sentiments on social media and through various publications, often pointing to the irony of England, a nation known for preserving tradition, being involved in such a change.
BCCI’s Response to the Outcry
In response to the mounting pressure, the BCCI has reportedly approached the ECB to find a way to honor Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. While the initial decision to rename the main series trophy lies with the home board (ECB in this case), the BCCI has requested that one of the individual post-match awards during the India-England Test series be named after Nawab Pataudi.
A senior BCCI official was quoted as saying, “It’s the ECB who decides on whom they want to name their series. The BCCI has no role in it as it’s their home series. We have requested them to name one of the post-match trophies after Pataudi and they will revert to us.”
This “big call” by the BCCI indicates an effort to mitigate the damage caused by the renaming and acknowledge the sentiment attached to the Pataudi legacy. The cricket world now awaits the ECB’s response and how they will ultimately strike a balance between celebrating modern icons and preserving the rich history of the game.
