BCCI raises concerns with ECB over retiring the Pataudi Trophy

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced a move that left the fans divided ahead of the upcoming India vs England Test series. Winners of the bilateral series played between India and England on th English soil have long been awarded with the 'Pataudi Trophy'. Meanwhile, India vs England series played in the sub-continent is referred to as the Anthony de Mello Trophy. Now, before the India Tour of England kicks off the new WTC Cycle, the ECB has decided to retire the 'Pataudi Trophy'. The board has renamed the bilateral series as the 'Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy'. While both Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson have proved their status as legends of the game, the dropping of 'Pataudi' has left the audience disappointed.

BCCI urges ECB to rethink the move of retiring the 'Pataudi Trophy' ahead of India vs England Test series

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi played his way into the annals of the game. The former Indian skipper has renowned records to his name, having played 46 Tests for India. Meanwhile, the Pataudi Trophy was announced as the prize for India vs England series on English soil back in 2007 in respect to the former Indian cricketer. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi passed away in 2011 after a struggle with a lung infection.

Now, as the ECB has renamed the trophy after Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, the move has irked many. Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar recently criticised the move, deeming it disturbing. In his explanation, Gavaskar highlighted that ECB's step might be the first instance of a trophy named after an individual player being retired. It is rather a rare instance but not the first time in cricket history. Earlier, the iconic Wisden Trophy, once awarded to the winner of the England vs West Indies Test series, was replaced by the Richards-Botham Trophy in 2020 to honour two legends from either side.

Nonetheless, the latest move by the ECB was not well received. Gavaskar, in his argument, also iterated that the BCCI might have been contacted before confirming the retirement of the 'Pataudi Trophy'. Moreover, the former cricketer noted the insensitivity on the Indian board's part if it didn't take a stance against dropping the former legend from the trophy's name.

However, in a latest report, it has been informed that the BCCI has approached the ECB before the India vs England series starts on June 20 in Headingley. While not in a position to ask the English board to backtrack on the move entirely, the BCCI has offered a balanced solution. According to reports, the BCCI has urged the ECB to retain the Pataudi name in some capacity, possibly by associating it with one of the other trophies presented during the series.

"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 on Pataudi and they will revert to us," a BCCI official said recently.