Sachin’s first phone call was to Pataudi family assuring that ‘I will make every effort from my side’
New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar said in an interview given to PTI here on Thursday, “As soon as I got to know that the name of the trophy for the India-England series is being changed, I immediately contacted the family of the late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and assured them that I will make every possible effort to ensure that the great captain Pataudi’s name remains associated with this prestigious series.”
It is noteworthy that starting from the first Test on Friday, June 20, the Test series between India and England has been named the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. This new name has been given in place of the Pataudi Trophy. The decision to rename the trophy was taken jointly by the England Cricket Board and the BCCI.
Fifty-two-year-old Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the world record of 100 international centuries and many other unbroken records, also said to PTI, “I am aware that the decision to give another name to the Pataudi Trophy was taken by the BCCI and the England Cricket Board a few months ago. However, as soon as I got to know that my name was to be associated with the trophy alongside James Anderson, the first call I made was to the Pataudi family.”
Sachin also said in the interview, “Tiger Pataudi has been an inspiration for generations of players and that should never be forgotten. I am happy with the decision that has now been taken regarding his name.”
It has been decided that Pataudi’s name will remain associated with this series. The series trophy will be known as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and the winning captain will be awarded the Pataudi Medal.
ALSO READ : Grand Welcome for South Africa’s Test Champions in Johannesburg
Sachin held several discussions with BCCI’s former secretary and current ICC chairman Jay Shah, as well as with senior officials of the British Cricket Board, which led to the decision regarding the Pataudi Medal.
Sachin told PTI, “I had several discussions with the Pataudi family over the phone, where I conveyed to them that the Pataudi legacy must live on, and I will make every effort from my side for that. After that, I immediately spoke to Jay Shah and also had phone discussions with senior officials of the British Cricket Board, sharing my thoughts. I am very pleased that the decision to award the Pataudi Medal to the winning captain was taken. The discussions I had over the phone brought about this positive result. Both cricket boards decided to name the trophy Anderson-Tendulkar and also jointly initiated the Pataudi Medal, and I am very happy about that.”