I Hope ECB Invites Sharmila and Saif to Present Pataudi Medal: Farokh Engineer
The cricket community has been abuzz with controversy ever since the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided to rename the Pataudi Trophy to Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy for the upcoming series between India and England. The move has been widely criticized, with many feeling that the Pataudi Trophy held a special significance and emotional value. In the midst of this controversy, former India cricketer Farokh Engineer has expressed his hope that the ECB will invite late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s wife, Sharmila Tagore, and son, Saif Ali Khan, to present the Pataudi Medal of Excellence.
The Pataudi Medal of Excellence is awarded to the winning captain of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and Engineer believes that it would be a fitting gesture to invite Sharmila and Saif to present the medal. Engineer, who played for India in the 1960s and 1970s, has a deep respect for the Pataudi family and believes that they should be involved in the presentation of the medal.
“I hope the ECB will invite Sharmila and Saif to present the Pataudi Medal of Excellence,” Engineer said in an interview. “It would be a fitting tribute to the Pataudi family and would show that the ECB values the legacy of the Pataudi Trophy.”
The controversy surrounding the renaming of the Pataudi Trophy stems from the fact that the ECB appears to have treated the renaming of the trophy as an afterthought. The decision was made without consulting the Pataudi family, and many have felt that the ECB has disrespected the legacy of the Pataudi Trophy.
The Pataudi Trophy was named after Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who was a legendary Indian cricketer and captain. He was known for his exceptional leadership skills and his ability to motivate his teammates. The trophy was named in his honor after he passed away in 2011.
Sharmila Tagore, Pataudi’s wife, has been a prominent figure in Indian cricket and has played a significant role in promoting the sport. Saif Ali Khan, Pataudi’s son, is a well-known actor and has also been involved in promoting cricket.
Engineer believes that inviting Sharmila and Saif to present the Pataudi Medal of Excellence would be a fitting tribute to the Pataudi family and would show that the ECB values the legacy of the Pataudi Trophy. He also believes that it would be a positive step towards healing the rift between the ECB and the Pataudi family.
“The ECB should take this opportunity to make amends and invite Sharmila and Saif to present the medal,” Engineer said. “It would be a gesture of goodwill and would show that the ECB is committed to respecting the legacy of the Pataudi Trophy.”
In conclusion, Farokh Engineer’s hope that the ECB will invite Sharmila and Saif to present the Pataudi Medal of Excellence is a sentiment that is shared by many in the cricket community. The renaming of the Pataudi Trophy to Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been widely criticized, and inviting the Pataudi family to present the medal would be a fitting tribute to the legacy of the Pataudi Trophy.
