In a significant development, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has reportedly intervened to preserve the legacy of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in the India-England Test series, following widespread criticism over the decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Tendulkar reached out to both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the announcement that the trophy would be renamed the "Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy" in honour of himself and English pacer James Anderson. The move had sparked backlash from several quarters of the cricket fraternity, who believed it sidelined the historic contribution of former India captain MAK Pataudi.
An official from the ECB told Cricbuzz that a plan is now in place to retain the Pataudi name in the series in some form. “Yes, there is a confirmed plan to retain the Pataudi link in the England-India series,” the official said. The new proposal reportedly involves introducing a special medallion in the name of Pataudi, which could be awarded to the winning captain of the series.
The report also credits ICC chairperson and former BCCI secretary Jay Shah with playing a key role in facilitating the change, supporting efforts to honour the legacy of the Nawab of Pataudi.
Meanwhile, the official renaming ceremony of the Pataudi Trophy to the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy was scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the ICC World Test Championship Final on June 14. However, the event was postponed as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed several lives.
The ECB and BCCI are currently in discussions to finalise a new date for the renaming ceremony.
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Chennai (PTI): Parties in the DMK-led SPA on Thursday welcomed DMDK joining the alliance, while the BJP slammed the move, stating that the "soul of Vijayakanth will not forgive" the party for forging ties with the DMK.
Earlier in the day, the late actor Vijayakanth, founded DMDK, joined the Secular Progressive Alliance here for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls.
Tamil Nadu Congress said DMDK forming an alliance with the DMK is a "significant development" in the state politics.
TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai said, "In view of the forthcoming assembly election, DMDK joining the DMK is a significant development in Tamil Nadu politics."
"I welcome the decision taken by (DMDK General Secretary) Premalatha Vijayakanth and DMDK executives for taking a great decision. I congratulate. This alliance was formed with the aim of prioritizing social justice, secularism, democratic values that will have the power to fulfill the people's expectations," he wrote in a social media post.
"Formed for the welfare, progress and prosperous future of the state, this alliance will surely achieve victory," he said.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko, another ally of the SPA, hailed the development as 'sweet news'.
"We happily welcome them. The SPA gets strengthened by this alliance. Victory for the DMK-led alliance has been confirmed with this", he told reporters in Madurai.
However, the Tamil Nadu BJP unit reacted sharply and criticised the move as a 'betrayal' of the DMDK founder's legacy.
The movement created by the Captain joining the anti-people DMK, will "never be forgiven by the Captain's Soul", it said on its social media handle. The DMDK founder is fondly addressed as 'Captain.'
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "As far as I am concerned, they (DMDK) have boarded a sinking ship. Invoking the legacy of Captain, they have forced their cadres to act as captains of a vessel that is already going down."
Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) chief G K Vasan, who is part of NDA in Tamil Nadu, said the alliance between the DMDK and the DMK was against the expectations of the people.
"As long as Captain was alive, he never formed an alliance with the DMK. People will not accept this alliance," he told reporters in Tiruchirappalli.
Actor-Politician Vijay led-Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) said not even one per cent of the people will accept this DMDK-DMK alliance.
"Captain Vijayakanth faced a lot of insults from the DMK and toiled hard to develop his party. When all these alliance partners converge on a stage, not even 1 per cent of the people will believe in them. They will not accept this alliance at any cost," TVK joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar told reporters in Chennai.
Meanwhile, Premalatha, after announcing her alliance with the DMK, offered prayers at the memorial of Captain in Chennai and later took part in Annadanam (free meal) organised at the DMDK headquarters.
"After the announcement of our alliance, on this special day, I performed a special pooja at the Captain's Temple and offered Annadanam. It is not just a political decision but my commitment to safeguard the people's belief," she said.
"With the blessings of Captain and people's support, we will definitely win", she wrote and shared some images on her social media handle.
