Legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar opened up on the Pataudi Trophy controversy and said he did all he could to keep the Pataudi legacy intact, adding that the decision was taken by the England Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). For the unversed, the ECB decided to retire the Pataudi Trophy and renamed it to Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, however, the decision was not well received by the critics, who felt that the boards should not have tinkered with the Pataudi legacy. The fans even requested Tendulkar to refuse the call.

Tendulkar said that the decision was taken by the ECB and he had little say in it. The legendary cricketer confirmed that the stakeholders decided that the winning captain would get the Pataudi Medal of Excellence after the match to keep the Pataudi link alive.

“The Pataudi legacy has to be kept alive. The contribution of the Pataudi family to Indian cricket inspires us all. I spoke to the family and mentioned to them I will do all to keep the legacy alive. I also spoke to Mr Jay Shah BCCI and ECB and I shared my thoughts. Thereafter we did a second call and it was decided to award the Pataudi medal of excellence to the winning captain. You need to know the decision on retiring the trophy rested with the BCCI and the ECB and when I was communicated I did all I could to ensure the legacy was kept intact," Tendulkar said as quoted by Boria Majumdar.

Meanwhile, the series is all set to get underway tomorrow, June 20, at Headingley, Leeds. It'll be a stern Test for the Shubman Gill-led India against the formidable hosts, but the team is not short on talent and would be eyeing to finish what's pending for the past 18 years - a series win in England.

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