Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar shared that it’s a big deal for him to help keep the Pataudi family’s legacy alive in the historic India-England Test rivalry. The series will now be called the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but there will also be a Pataudi Medal of Excellence awarded to the captain of the winning team. Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and his son Mansur both led India, which is why the series used to be known as the Pataudi Trophy.
The new trophy is a team effort between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and it’ll stand for all future Test series between England and India. Previously, the series in England was for the Pataudi Trophy, while in India, it was for the Anthony De Mello Trophy.
Tendulkar said he reached out to the ECB, BCCI, and ICC Chairman Jay Shah to ensure the Pataudi legacy would be remembered. He mentioned that everyone agreed the Pataudi Medal of Excellence should go to the winning captain because he was well-known for his leadership. It was great to keep this legacy going, Tendulkar said, adding that it’s key to remember the contributions of past players.
He also pointed out that the groundwork for success was laid by past legends and hopes the newer generation will build on it, giving us all something to be proud of down the line. “We can’t forget our heroes.”
Overall, he thinks it’s a good outcome, not just with the new trophy named after them but also in keeping Pataudi’s legacy alive. Tendulkar talked about learning that the old Pataudi Trophy was retired while he was traveling. He found out about the new trophy just last month, and he sees it as a recognition of both their contributions to Test cricket.
James Anderson, who is also on the trophy, is one of the best swing bowlers ever, having taken 704 Test wickets, the most by a fast bowler. Tendulkar, one of the best batsmen in history, remains the highest run-scorer in Tests with 15,921 runs. He started playing at just 16 and had a remarkable 24-year international career, contributing greatly to India’s success against all Test-playing teams.
Both Tendulkar and Anderson are viewed as all-time greats, with Tendulkar playing 200 Test matches and Anderson 188.