Accept the honour with humility... but wanted Pataudi's legacy to continue: Sachin Tendulkar

NEW PIECE OF SILVERWARE

Accept the honour with humility... but wanted Pataudi's legacy to continue: Sachin Tendulkar

by Vijay Tagore • Last updated on

Sachin Tendulkar immediately called Jay Shah to ensure the Pataudi legacy continued © ECB

It is now official. The bilateral series between India and England, home and away, will henceforth be called the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy - the silverware named after the two living legends of the respective cricketing nations. On the day of the formal announcement, Sachin Tendulkar told Cricbuzz that he accepted the honour with all humility, but clarified that before doing so, he first spoke to the Pataudi family to ensure the Pataudi legacy would remain intact. Excerpts from an interview.

When did you first hear about the silverware being named after you?

See, first when the Pataudi Trophy was retired, I think I was travelling somewhere and I got to know that both ECB and BCCI have decided to retire the trophy and start a new trophy, completely new trophy. I got to know two months down the line that they have decided to name the trophy after me and (James) Anderson.

How did it feel when you knew about it?

It was a good feeling because our contributions to our respective nations have been recognised. Whatever we have been able to do in Test cricket is recognised. So one did feel happy and I thought it was special. After that, my first phone call was to the Pataudi family and I spoke to them, I told them everything and also at the same time discussed about keeping the Pataudi legacy alive.

Then...? How did you manage to keep the Pataudi legacy going?

I said I'll try my best. Post that, I called up Jay Shah, the BCCI, and the ECB and shared some ideas to keep the legacy alive of the great man. We have to do certain things, and that was accepted very graciously, and we talked about it and came up with an idea which was very, very good, I thought - to introduce the Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the winning captain.

Why the Medal for Captaincy Excellence in his name?

Because he was known for his leadership and [we] felt that it was a good match. I feel good because not just the trophy is named after us, but we have also been able to keep the Pataudi legacy alive - someone who has contributed to Indian cricket and inspired many generations. All in all, a good feeling.

You have had so many honours. Where does this stand?

I think I respect all honours because when it comes from the bottom of your heart, then it means a lot. When you start comparing one another, then somewhere or the other its value decreases. So I don't like comparing. It is important, and such honour is always respected. I feel happy about it and I accept it with all humility.

What do you remember of the Pataudis?

The senior Pataudi played for both countries, but I was not born then, and so was the case with even Tiger Pataudi. I was not fortunate enough to see them back in [my] life. But the stories that you hear from various players - how he used to walk on the field - are something which I consider unbelievable. To come back and play international cricket after having lost his eye... I think that was just something special.

Who and what did you speak to in the Pataudi family?

I spoke to Saif (Ali Khan, his son), but I would like to keep that (to myself) and respect that.

How do you think the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, starting tomorrow (June 20), will pan out?

I am hoping that the medal comes back home with us, so the result is in our favour. I am hoping and praying for that because, like any other Indian, we pray for our team and wish them the very best of luck. So, I hope that the medal also comes back with us.

What do you think is required to bring the trophy back to India?

I think overall team performance. It's not just the bowling or batting. I think overall performance - the batters should put a decent score on the board, and the bowlers will have to maintain that discipline. Fielding is going to count a lot. Good catching is going to be important.

Sometimes, when the weather is cold, catching becomes difficult because you don't feel the ball in your hands like you do in India. So that can sometimes create problems, because if the ball is going to seam around, then there are going to be a fair amount of catches behind the wicket. So the catching will also become extremely important to convert those chances into dismissals.

So do you think the team has it in it to win the trophy?

Oh yes, absolutely! I think each and every team goes through this transitional period, and this has been happening for decades with all nations across the globe - and this churning will continue. This generation also, years down the line, will have to stop playing, and someone else will come and take over. So this churning is going to continue forever.

So whichever generation is playing at that time should take a lot of pride, and it is a huge honour to represent the country, to go out and enjoy the experience, and bring laurels to the nation. So as far as their ability is concerned, I have no doubt that this team is capable. They plan well, they execute their plans well, and we should be able to do something special.

It is not going to be easy, but it is not impossible.

© Cricbuzz

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