Thought BCCI would name trophy after Tiger, says upset Sharmila

The BCCI’s decision to retain the Anthony De Mello Trophy for the India-England series hasn’t gone down well with Sharmila Tagore — wife of late India skipper MAK Pataudi. Sharmila was pushing for calls to name the trophy after her late husband, especially after the ECB had named previous trophies (2007 and 2011) in England as the Pataudi Trophy after the father-son duo of Iftekar Ali Pataudi and MAK Pataudi. [caption id=“attachment_517677” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The curt BCCI statement clearly dismisses Sharmila’s requests. Reuters[/caption] Sharmila complained about not being informed directly by the BCCI about their decision. She was quoted in a DNA report as saying: “Why should it (BCCI) respond through the media? I thought it was natural that the BCCI followed the ECB and named the trophy after Tiger. Tiger did not belong to my family alone. He belonged to the entire country. If the BCCI has the wish and intention, it has the power to change the name.” But the BCCI said on Tuesday: “India-England Test series in India is played for the Anthony De Mello Trophy instituted in 1951.” The curt statement clearly dismisses Sharmila’s requests. When contacted, the ECB refused to be drawn into the issue saying it was a matter for the Indian board to decide. Click here for the full DNA report.