Sachin, BCCI Criticized Over Renaming of Pataudi Trophy

The renaming of the historic Pataudi Trophy has stirred debate in Indian cricket circles. Former Indian pacer Karsan Ghavri has openly criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sachin Tendulkar for not opposing the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision to replace the Pataudi name with the “Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.”

The Pataudi Trophy was established in 2007 to commemorate 75 years of India’s first Test series against England. It honored Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who represented both nations, and his son Mansur Ali Khan “Tiger” Pataudi, one of India’s most iconic captains. However, ahead of the 2025 England-India series, the ECB renamed it, pairing Tendulkar with England’s James Anderson.

Ghavri expressed disappointment, saying Tendulkar should have refused the honor out of respect for Tiger Pataudi. “Sachin should have said, ‘No, Tiger’s name should remain. He is already a legend of Indian cricket,’” Ghavri said. He compared it to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy or Frank Worrell Trophy, which retain the names of greats without alteration.

The former pacer believes the BCCI failed to defend Indian cricket heritage, arguing that the board should have firmly opposed the renaming. Although Tendulkar later suggested introducing a Pataudi Medal of Excellence for series winners, Ghavri insisted that such measures do not make up for the removal of Tiger’s name from the trophy itself.

The issue has sparked heated discussions, with many fans agreeing that cricketing traditions must be preserved. For them, the Pataudi Trophy symbolized a legacy, and its replacement feels like an erasure of history.