Sachin Tendulkar urges ECB to preserve Pataudi legacy in India-England Test series
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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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
