Criticism Over Pataudi Trophy’s Name Change
The recent decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to rename the Pataudi Trophy as the Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy has sparked widespread criticism from cricketing circles and historians alike. The trophy, established in 2007 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first Test series between India and England, was named in honour of the Pataudi family, which has deep-rooted connections with both nations’ cricketing histories.
The Pataudi lineage boasts two distinguished cricketers: Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the only player to have represented both England and India in Test cricket, and his son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, affectionately known as ‘Tiger’, who captained India in 40 of his 46 Test matches. Their contributions have been pivotal in shaping Indian cricket, with Tiger Pataudi often credited for modernising the game in the country.
Renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed his reservations about the renaming, stating, “Having been an admirer of Anderson the player and, as is well known, of Tendulkar, both as a player and a person, I should have been happy with the series being played for a Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy. But it misses the deep connect that Pataudi had with our countries.” He emphasised the unique bond the Pataudi family shared with both England and India, highlighting their significant contributions to cricket in both nations.
Similarly, writer and cricket enthusiast N.S. Madhavan voiced his disappointment, noting, “Hugely disappointed at change of name of India-England tests trophy from Nawab of Pataudi Trophy to Tendulkar-Anderson trophy. Nawab was the real moderniser of Indian Cricket.” He further lamented the loss of tradition, stating, “Cricket honours tradition; it isn’t a Delhi road to change names now and then.”
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar also criticised the ECB’s decision, describing it as “deeply disturbing” and a “total lack of sensitivity to the contribution made by the Pataudis to cricket in both England and India.” He urged Indian cricketers to decline any future offers of having trophies named after them, cautioning against the potential for similar retirements in the future.
The Pataudi Trophy was initially introduced by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2007, with the BCCI not giving its official stamp of approval to the naming of the trophy. Despite this, the trophy became a symbol of the historic cricketing ties between India and England.
The ECB’s decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy and introduce the Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy, named after India’s Sachin Tendulkar and England’s James Anderson, both modern-day cricketing legends, has been met with mixed reactions. While acknowledging the achievements of Tendulkar and Anderson, critics argue that the move overlooks the rich legacy and historical significance associated with the Pataudi name.
