Former India Cricketer Criticizes ECB's Decision to Drop Pataudi Name from Trophy

Farokh Engineer, a former Indian cricketer, has expressed his disappointment with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)'s decision to rename the India-England Test series trophy. Previously known as the Pataudi Trophy, it has been rechristened as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at the start of the current five-match Test series.

Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson: The namesakes of the newly renamed trophy.

Engineer stated to PTI, "Tiger Pataudi was a great friend and colleague. We played a lot of Test cricket together. He has a great heritage, and a great family. I was very happy when the trophy was named after him in 2007."

He further added, "On one hand, I was very disappointed that the Pataudi name was removed. I would have loved Tiger's name to remain, but the powers that be decided on Anderson and Sachin, who are legends of the game."

Engineer acknowledged the introduction of the Pataudi Medal as a positive step, but felt it was an afterthought. "It was obviously an afterthought. They should have announced it in the beginning, that would have had more credibility, but at least they have done something. Common sense has prevailed, and I hope the Pataudi name always remains."

He conceded the undeniable achievements of Tendulkar and Anderson, saying, "...the achievements of Tendulkar and Anderson can't be argued against... They have named the medal after the Pataudis, which is a very thoughtful thing."

"That must be a second choice to appease a lot of Pataudi supporters, of which I am one, but you can't blame them for naming the trophy after Sachin and Anderson," Engineer elaborated.

Engineer hopes that the ECB will give due credit to the Pataudi family. "The whole issue is debatable, but they have kept the name. I hope they invite Sharmila Tagore (Mansur's wife) and his son Saif Ali Khan to present the medal. Last series, they didn't do that. Fingers were pointed at the ECB for that. Hopefully, they give them due credit."

Currently, India trails the five-match series 0-1 after their loss at Headingley.