India vs England Test Series Renamed: Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy to Replace Pataudi Trophy

The long-standing rivalry between India and England in Test cricket is set to begin a new chapter. Moving forward, the two nations will compete for the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, named after cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson. The new trophy replaces the Pataudi Trophy, which had been awarded to the winner of India-England Test series held in England since 2007.

TROPHY UNVEILING AT WTC FINAL

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy will be officially unveiled during the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between Australia and South Africa, set to take place at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 11. Both Tendulkar and Anderson are expected to be present at the ceremony, highlighting the significance of this transition.

SERIES KICK-OFF AND WTC CYCLE

India and England’s next five-match Test series is scheduled to begin on june 20 at Headingley, Leeds, marking the start of the new WTC cycle. This series will be the first official contest where the newly named trophy is up for grabs.

HONORING LEGENDS: TENDULKAR & ANDERSON

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test runs in history, amassing 15,921 runs in 200 matches over a 24-year career (1989–2013). He remains an icon of Indian and world cricket.

James Anderson, who announced his retirement in 2024, is England's all-time leading wicket-taker with 704 Test wickets, making him the most successful fast bowler in the format's history.

FAREWELL TO THE PATAUDI TROPHY

The Pataudi Trophy, introduced in 2007, honored the legacy of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi (who represented both England and India) and his son Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, a former Indian captain. In contrast, when India hosted England, the series was played for the Anthony de Mello Trophy, named after one of the BCCI's founding members and its first secretary-president (1946–1951).

MIXED REACTIONS TO THE RENAMING

The renaming of the trophy has not been without controversy. Former Indian captain and cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar publicly criticized the decision, calling it disrespectful to the contributions of the Pataudi family to cricket in both countries.

> "It shows a total lack of sensitivity to the contribution made by the Pataudis to cricket in both England and India," Gavaskar wrote in his Sportstar column.

He further urged current Indian players to decline any request to have a trophy named after them, to avoid similar discontinuation in the future.

> "There may well be a new trophy named after more recent players... I hope any Indian cricketer approached will politely decline, not just out of respect, but to avoid the same fate."

CONTEXT: CROWE-THORPE TROPHY AND RECENT TRENDS

This renaming follows a recent trend of honoring contemporary legends. In November 2024, the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy was introduced as the prize for Test series between England and New Zealand, recognizing Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe.