Tiger Pataudi is often seen as a big deal for Indian cricket. He brought a sense of national pride to a sport that used to be ruled by England. But now, his name is stirring up some controversy. Sharmila Tagore, along with cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Harsha Bhogle, have spoken out about it.
Earlier this month, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to rename the Pataudi Trophy to the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy. They say it honors modern stars like Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, aiming to connect more with younger fans.
Tendulkar, who retired in 2013, played 200 Tests, while Anderson, who finished in July 2024, has 188 Tests under his belt. Both are viewed as greats of the game. The Pataudi Trophy started in 2007 to celebrate 75 years since India’s first Test series in England and recognized the Pataudi family’s legacy, especially Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the only player to represent both England and India.
The trophy wasn’t just about winning—it represented cricket’s tricky colonial past. Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi played for both teams, and the trophy showed a spirit of defiance and dignity. Harsha Bhogle tweeted that while Tendulkar and Anderson are legends, they miss the deeper connection that the Pataudi name had with both countries. He noted how both father and son played for Sussex and felt the original name had a special ring to it.
Traditionally, this trophy was given to the winner of India’s Test tours of England, while the series in India has long been for the Anthony de Mello Trophy, named after one of the founders of BCCI. The name change has faced backlash, with Sharmila Tagore saying it was insensitive and that the family wasn’t consulted. She mentioned that it’s up to the BCCI to decide how to handle Tiger’s legacy.
Sunil Gavaskar also found the renaming concerning, pointing out that it’s unusual to retire a trophy named after individual players, although he noted that it was mainly up to the ECB’s decision. The trophy will be officially unveiled at Lord’s during the World Test Championship final starting June 11.