Cricket: “Total Lack Of Sensitivity” Sunil Gavaskar Makes Feelings Clear Over ECB decision to Retire Pataudi Trophy
The History of the Pataudi Trophy
Cricket is a game of tradition, and over the years we have seen intense battles between some of the world’s greatest teams, from the West Indies during the 1970s and 80s, the all-conquering Aussies in the 1990s and early 00s, and India in more recent times.
To pay homage to the players and intense battles of the past, several series globally are now played for trophies that are named after former greats, such as the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy, which is contested between South Africa and the West Indies.
The Pataudi Trophy, named after the Pataudi family, came into existence in 2007 to commemorate 75 years of the India-England cricket bilateral ties. Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi remains the only man to have played for both India and England in Test matches, while his son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, captained the Men in Blue in the 1960s and 70s.
Since the introduction of the Pataudi Trophy, England have held the trophy since 2011, while India won it in the first ever contest in 2007!
However, despite the tradition behind the Pataudi Trophy, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has now taken the decision to retire the trophy, with the action expected to take effect ahead of India’s tour to England in June this year - a decision that has not gone down well with former India great Sunil Gavaskar.
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Gavaskar Slams ECB Over Pataudi Trophy Decision
Indian players who have had trophies named after them include Saurav Ganguly, the Ganguly-Duroy Trophy, which is contested between India and neighbouring Bangladesh, while the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a tribute to Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, two of the greatest-ever players for India and Australia, respectively.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is arguably the fiercest rivalry in Test cricket today, with many feeling that it has surpassed the Ashes. As such, it is perhaps understandable that Gavaskar had something to say about the ECB’s decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy this year.
Writing in his column for Sportstar, the former India captain blasted the decision, saying:
"This is the first time one has heard of a trophy named after individual players being retired. It shows a total lack of sensitivity to the contribution made by the Pataudis to cricket in both England and India."
Gavaskar went on to concede that it is the ECB’s right to retire or rename the trophy, but followed up by urging current cricketers from India to decline the option of lending their names to new trophies, indicating that is could tarnish their legacy, as he feels the most recent decision will do to the Pataudi family.
The five-match Test series between England and India will get underway on June 20 in Leeds before moving on the Birmingham, Lord’s, Manchester and The Oval, and we will be covering all the action with our cricket predictions right here on SportyTrader!
