Farokh Engineer Expresses Disappointment Over Series Name Change

Former Cricketer Reacts to Series Renaming

Farokh Engineer, a former Indian cricketer, has voiced his sorrow regarding the renaming of the India vs. England cricket series from the MAK Pataudi series to the Anderson-Tendulkar series. Initially named in 2007 to honor Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi's legacy, the trophy has now been retired. Despite this, the board has retained Pataudi's name in association with the medal. Reflecting on this change, Engineer expressed his happiness when the series was named after 'Tiger'.

"Tiger Pataudi was a dear friend and a remarkable teammate. We shared many Test matches together. His family has a rich heritage, and I was thrilled when the trophy was named in his honor back in 2007. While I feel disheartened that Pataudi's name has been removed, I understand the decision to honor legends like Anderson and Sachin instead," he stated.

Engineer commended the officials for preserving Pataudi's legacy by keeping his name linked to the medal. He remarked,

"The introduction of the Pataudi medal seems to have been an afterthought; it would have been more credible had it been announced earlier. Nonetheless, they have taken a step in the right direction. It's a relief that common sense prevailed, and I hope Pataudi's name continues to be recognized. The achievements of Tendulkar and Anderson are undeniable, and naming the medal after Pataudi was a thoughtful gesture."

Engineer Suggests Separate Series for Anderson and Tendulkar

While Engineer does not entirely oppose the recognition of James Anderson or Sachin Tendulkar, he believes a separate series should have been named after them. He expressed his thoughts, stating,

"I can't fault them for naming the Anderson Trophy, but I question why they had to change the original name. They could have created a new trophy for Anderson and Tendulkar. Sachin is a phenomenal cricketer, and his name deserves to be associated with some trophies."