Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer has shared his thoughts on the ECB renaming the Pataudi Trophy to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy for the Test series between England and India. Engineer was a close friend of the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and played alongside him for India.

The ECB decided to end the Pataudi Trophy, named after Tiger Pataudi and his father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who both captained and played for India. Instead, the ECB gave the names of two of the most capped Test cricketers, Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson.

However, after much displeasure from India and the Indian cricket community, it was decided that the winning captain’s medal will now be called the Pataudi Medal.

The engineer was dissatisfied, but he also believed that James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar's accomplishments were indisputable. The home board introduced a winning captain's medal after the Pataudi family, after Tendulkar petitioned the ECB.

"Well, Tiger Pataudi was a great friend of mine. A great colleague of mine. We played a lot of Test cricket. Great heritage, great family. I was most happy when the trophy was named after him back in 2007.

On one hand, I was very disappointed that the Pataudi name was removed. I would love Tiger's name to go on, but instead the powers that be decided with Anderson and Sachin, who are legends of the game,” Engineer told PTI.

"It (introducing the Pataudi medal) was obviously an afterthought; they should have announced it in the beginning—that would have more credibility—but at least they have done something. Common sense has prevailed, and I hope the Pataudi name always remains,” he added.

"...the achievements of Tendulkar and Anderson can't be argued against. There are two sides to the story. They have named the medal after Pataudis, which is a very thoughtful thing. That must be a second choice to appease a lot of Pataudi supporters, of which I am one, but you can't blame them for naming the trophy after Sachin and Anderson," Engineer said.

He further added that it would be expected from the ECB to invite Tiger Pataudi’s wife, Sharmila Tagore, and his son, Saif Ali Khan, to present the medal.

"The whole issue is debatable, but they have kept the name. I hope they invite Sharmila Tagore (Mansur's wife) and his son Saif Ali Khan to present the medal. Last series, they didn't do that. Fingers were pointed at the ECB for that. Hopefully, they give them due credit,” Engineer stated.

India lost at Headingley from a dominant position, dropping them to a 0-1 deficit in the five-match series.

Due to workload management, pacer Jasprit Bumrah will only play three of the five games, but the engineer wants him to play as many as possible. His absence from the second Test here, which begins on July 2, is the subject of much conjecture.

"He is your trump card. He needs to be mothballed, as he is far too precious for the Indian team. Hope he plays the majority of the games," the 87-year-old added.

Engineer played 46 Tests and five ODIs for India between 1961 and 1975.

(PTI inputs)