‘Gavaskar poore India ko hila ke rakh dega’: Ex-India pacer on Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy name change | Cricket News
Former India all-rounder Karsan Ghavri has criticised Sachin Tendulkar and the BCCI for allowing the historic Pataudi Trophy to be renamed as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which was first contested between India and England in July-August this year ending in a 2-2 draw. Ghavri expressed strong disapproval of the name change, calling it disrespectful to Tiger Pataudi’s legacy in Indian cricket.Ghavri highlighted how other prestigious bilateral cricket trophies have maintained their historic names.
“That is very wrong. Number one, the Australia-West Indies series is always called the Frank Worrell Trophy. The India-Australia Trophy is always called the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. If its name changed, Gavaskar poore India ko hila ke rakh dega (Gavaskar will create a lot of noise),” Ghavri stated in a conversation with Vicky Lalwani on YouTube.The former cricketer placed significant responsibility on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not opposing the decision more firmly in discussions with the MCC and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board).“The BCCI should’ve put its foot down with the MCC and the ECB. Tiger’s name shouldn’t have been removed,” Ghavri stressed.While acknowledging that Tendulkar did initially object to the renaming, Ghavri felt the cricket legend should have taken a stronger stance against the change.“In the same context, when it came to Sachin Tendulkar, that this trophy would be changed, and this trophy would be named after you and Anderson, Sachin should’ve said no. Objection is different,” Ghavri remarked.
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Ghavri, who played 39 Tests for India, suggested an alternative approach that could have preserved Pataudi’s legacy while still honouring Tendulkar and Anderson.“In the first place, you should’ve put your foot down and should’ve said ‘No, I don’t want to use my name because Tiger Pataudi’s name is already there. He’s a legend of Indian cricket. If you want to give medals, use our name. Trophy’s name should remain the same’,” he stated.The former all-rounder expressed particular concern about the implications of the name change for Pataudi’s status in Indian cricket history.“First of all, this question should’ve never been raised. You’re degrading somebody of a great stature,” Ghavri declared.The inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series demonstrated high-quality cricket from both teams, with India’s Shubman Gill scoring 754 runs across five Tests in his first series as captain.Mohammed Siraj led the Indian bowling attack effectively during the series, claiming 23 wickets in nine innings, the highest among all bowlers.The series ultimately concluded with both teams sharing honours in a 2-2 draw, marking the first contest under the new trophy name that had replaced the long-standing Pataudi Trophy.
