As the Indian cricket team prepares for its high-profile five-match Test series in England starting June 20, 2025, a long-standing tradition could quietly come to an end. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the upcoming India vs England Test series in England might not be played for the Pataudi Trophy, a symbolic prize that has defined the contest since 2007.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly considering “retiring” the Pataudi Trophy — a move that has not yet been officially confirmed or denied. “This is not something we’ll be able to offer you a comment on,” said an ECB spokesperson, leaving the future of the trophy uncertain.
The potential retirement has evoked a strong emotional response from Sharmila Tagore, actor and widow of legendary Indian captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Reacting to the report, she said:“I haven’t heard from them, but the ECB has sent a letter to Saif that they are retiring the trophy. If the BCCI wants to or does not want to remember Tiger’s legacy, it is for them to decide.”
The Pataudi Trophy was introduced in 2007 to commemorate 75 years of India-England Test cricket. It honored the contributions of the Pataudi family, which produced two India captains: Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who played for both England and India, and his son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, affectionately known as “Tiger.”
India’s home series against England is played for the Anthony de Mello Trophy, named after a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Pataudi Trophy, on the other hand, has specifically been awarded for India-England series hosted in England.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi is remembered as one of India’s most charismatic and influential captains. He represented India in 46 Test matches, scoring 2793 runs at an average of 34.91, including six centuries and 16 half-centuries. His highest score, an unbeaten 203, remains etched in Indian cricket history. Pataudi passed away in 2011 after battling a lung infection.
While the act of retiring a trophy is rare in cricket, there is precedent. For instance, the historic Wisden Trophy, once awarded in England–West Indies Test contests, was recently replaced by the Richards-Botham Trophy, named after legends Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Ian Botham.
If the ECB does move ahead with dropping the Pataudi Trophy, it will mark a significant shift in the narrative surrounding India-England Test cricket in England. For many, especially those close to the Pataudi legacy, it will be more than just a change in name — it will feel like the end of an era.
