India vs England Test series retired despite FTP announcement

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly planning to retire the iconic Pataudi Trophy, presenting it to the winner of the Test series between England and India played on English soil. This change could come into effect from the upcoming Test series in June-July 2025.

However, the exact reason behind this surprising decision has not yet been cleared, but there’s speculation that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) might introduce a new trophy named after recent cricket legends from both countries.

ECB plans to retire iconic Pataudi Trophy ahead of the upcoming England vs India Test series

As reported by Cricbuzz, an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied the news. He said, “This is not something we'll be able to offer you a comment on.”

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Sources close to the family of the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi have been informed about the England cricket board's plan to retire the Pataudi Trophy.

A source was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “That is the understanding from the ECB. Apparently, trophies are retired after some time.”

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The Pataudi Trophy was introduced in 2007 as a prize for the Test series between India and England in England.

History behind the Pataudi Trophy

It was named after Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and his father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. Iftikhar played for both England and India, while his son Mansur captained India in 46 Tests between 1961 and 1975. Pataudi passed away in September 2011 at the age of 70.

Pataudi holds the record for facing the most balls in a single Test match while batting at the number six position. India won the first edition of the Pataudi Trophy, but England claimed it in 2011, 2014, and 2018. The 2021-22 series ended in a draw, so England kept the trophy.

Well, the trophy will remain with England even if the Rohit Sharma-led team manages to win the upcoming five-match Test series in June-July this year, as the ECB is all set to retire the trophy.

Notably, the IND vs ENG trophy in Tests played in India is called the Anthony de Mello Trophy. It was introduced in 1951 and is named after one of the BCCI's founders.

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When Sharmila Tagore slams ECB's treatment at the Pataudi Trophy ceremony

Meanwhile, Sharmila Tagore, wife of the late Pataudi and ex-Bollywood icon, has previously expressed her disappointment over how they were treated by the ECB.

She was quoted as saying by Sportstar back in 2018: “The English team was taken away for photo opportunities and to celebrate, and Tiger was left standing by the trophy. Andrew Strauss, the English captain at the time, noticed Tiger standing unsure of what to do and went over to him.”

The former actress recalled, “Tiger handed him the trophy, but this exchange was neither photographed nor televised. This was in August. We had gone to London especially at the invitation of the ECB for the presentation of the Pataudi Trophy.”

She signed off by saying, “So we were naturally a little confused that things had not gone as planned as late as the official lunch time of the same day as the match. On our return to India, Tiger fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. He passed away in September. Our family had other priorities at the time, and consequently, we could not give the matter our attention.”