The ECB and BCCI’s decision to retire Pataudi Trophy and rename the upcoming England versus India Test series as ‘Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’ has stirred a debate.

Since 2007, India’s Test tours of England were played for the Pataudi Trophy, which was named in the honour of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and his son, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.

Similarly, the India versus England Test series played in India was called the Anthony de Mello Trophy, named after a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Amidst the development, Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar broke silence on the two cricket boards’ decision to rename the series after him and English great James Anderson.

Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer (15,921) and century maker (51) in Test cricket, also opened up on his efforts to keep the Pataudi legacy alive.

The decision to remove the Pataudi name was criticized by several experts and fans alike, and Tendulkar has now shared his thoughts on the controversy.

"Let me then tell you the full thing. First things first, the decision to retire the trophy rested with the BCCI and the ECB. Only after they had taken the decision did they communicate that to me," Tendulkar said in an interview with RevSportz.

"As far as the Pataudi family is concerned, I am conscious of the contribution they have made to Indian cricket. Pataudi senior played for England and for India, while Tiger Pataudi captained India with distinction. I did not see them play for I wasn't born, but I have indeed heard stories and those stories inspire us all," he added.

"That's why I was determined to ensure that the legacy was kept intact," he further stated.

Tendulkar also revealed that he had called up ICC chairman and former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to try and keep the Pataudi legacy intact.

"When I got to know, I called the (Pataudi) family and had a conversation. Thereafter, I spoke to Mr Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB, and mentioned to them that something had to be done to ensure the legacy stayed on," he remarked.

As it has turned out, the Pataudi family will continue to be associated with the India-England Test series. A newly commissioned Pataudi Medal will be presented to the winning captain of each Test series, involving the two teams.

Sachin Tendulkar emphasized the significance of the series named after him, and what it meant to him.

"Not many know that the first-ever flight that I took was also to England in 1988 as part of the Star Cricket Club team. Thereafter, my first international hundred was at Old Trafford, and was a match-saving one which kept the series alive. I was the first non-English cricketer to play for Yorkshire, where you are now. Also, my mother-in-law is English, so there is a family connection there as well. So, England was a very strong connection in my 24-year-long career, and as I said I also have an opposition supporter within my family! So in every way I feel humbled that the trophy was named after Jimmy Anderson who has been one of the greatest players to play for England and myself," Tendulkar said.

The first Test of the newly-named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy begins on Friday (June 20) at Headingley.