The Pataudi Trophy, a test series played between India and England, is set to be retired by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The trophy, named after the great cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, has been a part of the cricketing world since 2007.
In its debut series, India took home the trophy, defeating England 1-0. The decision to retire the trophy is expected to be finalized when the Indian team tours England in June and July.
No official reason has been given for the retirement, but it’s possible that a new trophy named after another cricket legend might take its place. This wouldn’t be the first time a trophy has been replaced – the Wisden Trophy, played between England and the West Indies, was retired and replaced by the Richards-Botham Trophy.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the man behind the trophy, had a remarkable cricket career. He captained the Indian team in 46 test matches between 1961 and 1975, scoring 2,793 runs, including six centuries and 16 fifties. What’s more impressive is that he achieved all this despite a serious injury to his right eye in an accident, which occurred just months before he took on the captaincy at the age of 21.
The news of the Pataudi Trophy’s retirement has come as a surprise, but it’s not uncommon for trophies to be replaced in the world of cricket. As the ECB makes way for a new trophy, fans will be eager to see what’s in store for the future of India-England test matches.
Notable Career Highlights
- 46 test matches played for India
- 2,793 runs scored, including six centuries and 16 fifties
- Captained the Indian team at just 21 years old, despite a serious eye injury
The legacy of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi will undoubtedly live on, even as the trophy named after him is retired. His remarkable career and achievements continue to inspire cricketers around the world.