Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has reached out to officials from both the BCCI and the England Cricket Board (ECB) to talk about keeping the Pataudi legacy alive in the upcoming India-England Test series, according to a report from Cricbuzz. The boards had planned to rename the series the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy instead of the Pataudi Trophy after the ECB decided to retire it.
This decision faced a lot of criticism, and Tendulkar stepped in to help preserve the Pataudi heritage. The report says that there might now be a medallion given to the winning captain in honor of the late MAK Pataudi.
An ECB official confirmed to Cricbuzz, “Yes, there is a confirmed plan to keep the Pataudi link in the England-India series.”
Previously, Test matches between England and India in the UK were played for the Pataudi Trophy, named after Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and his son, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Back in March, the ECB informed the Pataudi family about their intention to retire the trophy.
Tendulkar, one of the greatest players in cricket history, is still the highest run-scorer in Tests with 15,921 runs. He played 200 Tests from 1989 to 2013 and set many records. On the other hand, Jimmy Anderson is England’s top wicket-taker and the most successful fast bowler in Test history, with 704 wickets to his name. Since retiring from international cricket last summer, Anderson has taken on the role of England’s bowling consultant and is now playing for Lancashire after extending his contract.
The two faced off in 14 Tests, with Anderson getting Tendulkar out nine times, the most by any bowler against him. England currently holds the Pataudi Trophy, which they kept after a 2-2 draw in a series that spanned 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID pandemic.