Former India player Ravi Shastri has backed the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to rename the Pataudi Trophy to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy for the Test series between the two countries. Several former cricketers, fans, and the family of Pataudi were unhappy with the call, terming it an attempt to end the legacy of great cricketers.

Sachin Tendulkar ensured that the Pataudi name remained connected to the famous rivalry, with the winning captain of the assignment set to get a Pataudi medal. He spoke to the ECB officials and urged them to get the tradition going, and they agreed.

Nasser Hussain asked Shastri’s opinion on the name change during Day 1 of the first Test in Leeds.

“You have to evolve with time. Sachin Tendulkar played cricket for 24 years. James Anderson took more than 700 Test wickets in his career. I am glad that they haven’t taken Pataudi out of the contest. The medal will be presented to the winning captain,” he said.

Sachin and Anderson inaugurated the new trophy on June 19, a day before the start of the series. India scored 359/3, with captain Shubman Gill and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring centuries.