India cricket legend Kapil Dev said on Wednesday that he was taken aback by the choice to change the Pataudi Trophy's name to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, describing it as "strange."
In recognition of the two game icons, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took the call and changed the Pataudi Trophy, which is given to the winner of the Test series that England hosts against India, to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Established in 2007 as the award for the victor of the Test series in England, the Pataudi Trophy bears the name of the renowned Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. The Indian-England cricket legacy is closely associated with the moniker Pataudi. In addition to playing county cricket in England, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and his son Mansur captained India.
Kapil responded to the decision while speaking on the sidelines of a Three Sixty event celebrating his legendary undefeated 175 during the 1983 World Cup match against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells.
"It feels a little strange… like, does this also happen? But that's okay, everything works in cricket. At the end of the day, there is no difference. Cricket is cricket. The cricket on the field should be the same," he said.
The ICC chairman Jay Shah and Sachin Tendulkar reportedly tried to persuade the ECB to overturn its decision, which was widely criticized. Nonetheless, the England board has kept the Pataudi Medal for Excellence, which will be given to the series' victorious captain and was created as an individual award to honor the former India captain.
For Indian Test cricket, the series will mark the start of a new era. The team is now led by youthful Shubman Gill after legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma declared their retirements last month.
The 25-year-old was told to express himself by Kapil Dev.
"There are no expectations. Just go, play, express yourself. That's more important," Kapil said.
Leeds will host the start of the five-match series on June 20. India will try to win their first Test series in England since 2007.
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