Mumbai: All upcoming Test games between India and England will be contested for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy following a great deal of thought since the Pataudi Trophy was no longer in use. In addition to their signatures, the trophy also features images of Anderson and Tendulkar, the two most capped Test players in action.

Tendulkar discusses the honor, his role in continuing Pataudi's legacy, and India's chances in the five-Test series that begins on Friday under the leadership of young captain Shubman Gill in this interview.

Excerpts:

For a series where it all started for you, how proud are you to have a prize named after Anderson?

It feels fantastic. I didn't anticipate this honor. Many things have transpired for me in England. In 1988, I traveled to London with the Star Cricket Club, which was my first flight ever. Old Trafford, England, was where I got my first century in 1990. In 1992, I was the first non-Yorkshire person to represent the county. In 2002, I broke Sir Don Bradman's record for the most centuries scored at Headingley. It's a great honor to discover that the trophy is named after me and Anderson.

How crucial was it for you to safeguard the legacy of Pataudi?

The BCCI and ECB have retired the Pataudi Trophy a while ago, as far as I know. I contacted the Pataudi family as soon as I learned about the renaming. We talked about methods to preserve Pataudi's legacy, and I told them everything. He has served as a role model for numerous generations. I stated that I would make every effort. I'll return to you.

Following that, I talked with the ECB, BCCI, and Mr. Jay Shah (ICC Chairman) about a variety of topics. After much debate, we ultimately agreed to establish the Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the winning captain. A medal for a winning captain was a great complement to Mr. Pataudi's reputation for leadership. Ultimately, giving the trophy our name was a positive thing, but we're also glad that we've been able to preserve the Pataudi heritage.

India has a new captain and a new No. 4 in Shubman Gill in the inaugural series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. What challenges lie ahead for him?

The first thing I'm going to tell Shubman when he's captain is to ignore the outside world and how they respond to any decisions he makes. The coach, management, and senior players would have been consulted about those calls. One doesn't have to be concerned about the outside world as long as the strategy is being carried out.

Some opinions will be favorable, while others will be unfavorable. You cannot base your decisions on the opinions of the outside world, as some will find him to be overly aggressive, while others will find him to be overly defensive.

I spent the majority of my career in the No. 4 position in the lineup. At four, I had a great time hitting. I came across a variety of circumstances; sometimes I arrived at 10/2 and other times at 200/2. He will come across that. It's a great spot to bat. I wish Shubman all the best. He has to simply step out and have fun. First and foremost, remain committed to giving his best, just as he always has.

The Indian squad is undergoing a transition period...

In the past, this churn has occurred for decades. When players retire and the new lot enters, this churning is quite usual. When we all retired, that's precisely what occurred. As a result, let's hope that we're helping them win accolades for our country. In my opinion, the talent is clearly evident. All that is left is to wait and see. I am really certain that they will give a decent performance.

Does England's inexperienced bowing assault level the playing field?

Ultimately, it doesn't matter who is there; it's about how you perform. We were missing six or seven important members of our starting eleven when India defeated Australia in Brisbane in 2021. Consequently, regardless of who is facing you, you must carry out your plans as effectively as possible. Since they will continue to provide a challenge. Because they are good enough to represent the nation, they are being selected. The batter needs one throw to be dismissed, regardless of the bowler.

Therefore, I would argue that the experience of Anderson and (Stuart) Broad together is a different cup of tea. They might be experiencing that transition as well. (However) It's crucial to keep on your toes.

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