Monty Panesar Calls For India-England Test Series To Be Named As 'Tendulkar-Cook Trophy'

Former England spinner, Monty Panesar reckons a new name for the Test series between India and England. He suggests the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the England Cricket Board (ECB) rename the Test series between the two nations as the ‘Tendulkar-Cook Trophy’ after the two batting greats, Sachin Tendulkar and Sir Alastair Cook.

Monty Panesar says that since Tendulkar (15921 runs) and Cook (12472 runs) are the leading Test run-scorer from their respective countries – the Indian legend is the all-time leading run-scorer in ODI as well – and it would be a fitting honour to both the batsmen if the Test series is named after them – such as the one between India and Australia is named after Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The former off-spinner also points out that there is yet no Trophy named after Sachin Tendulkar despite the right-hander retiring 7 years ago.

“Eng v India test series should be called “Tendulkar Cook trophy ” because both have highest test runs for their countries,they played a lot against eachother and we know Tendulkar is the biggest legend and we dont have a series named after him,” tweeted Monty Panesar.

Eng v India test series should be called "Tendulkar Cook trophy " because both have highest test runs for their countries,they played a lot against eachother and we know Tendulkar is the biggest legend and we dont have a series named after him. @englandcricket @BCCI #INDvENG

— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) February 10, 2021

He also suggested the idea of the ‘Vaughan-Dravid Series’ and then created a Twitter poll for his fans adding other options like Tendulkar-Anderson and Botham- Kapil.

What should be the #INDvENG test series should be called ? @sachin_rt @jimmy9 @MichaelVaughan @BeefyBotham @therealkapildev @englandcricket @BCCI #INDvENG

— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) February 10, 2021

Kohli will step down from captaincy if India lose the second Test: Monty Panesar

Despite Virat Kohli having a 57 per cent win record as a Test captain of the Indian side, calls to make Ajinkya Rahane the new skipper have come from all corners. Under Rahane, India won the Test series in Australia coming back from a loss in Adelaide.

Also, the loss in Chennai against England was India’s fourth consecutive loss – 2 in New Zealand, one in Adelaide and then in Chennai – under Virat Kohli. Monty Panesar feels that if the hosts lose the second Test as well, then Kohli himself might step down and hand the reins to Rahane, under whom India has not lost a single match hitherto in 5 Tests.

“Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen of all-time. But the team is simply not doing well under him and we have the result in the last four Tests that India played under him. I think Kohli will be under pressure and more now because Rahane has done phenomenally well as the captain. India has already lost four Tests in a row and if the number goes to five in the next match, then I think he will step down from his role,” the 38-year-old told WION.

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