England vs India series renamed after Anderson and Tendulkar with new trophy
The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy will now represent all future England-India Test series. The Pataudi Medal will be awarded to the winning captain, continuing the legacy of the Pataudi family
Hyderabad: The England Men’s and India Men’s Test teams will honour Sir James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar with a new trophy dedicated to their remarkable achievements in Test cricket.
The next edition of this great rivalry takes place this summer, with the Rothesay five-match Test series getting underway at Headingley on Friday, June 20.
The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, a joint initiative between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will now represent all future Test series between England and India. Previously, the series in England was played for the Pataudi Trophy, and the series in India for the Anthony De Mello Trophy.
The Pataudi family will continue to be honoured, with a newly commissioned Pataudi Medal to be presented to the winning captain of each England–India Test series.
The trophy features imagery of Anderson and Tendulkar in action, along with their engraved signatures – a fitting tribute to two of the game’s most iconic figures.
Anderson, considered one of the finest exponents of swing bowling, took 704 Test wickets, the most by a fast bowler in the format. The Lancashire seamer ranks third on the all-time list, behind only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.
Tendulkar, one of the most complete batters to have graced the game, remains the highest run-scorer in Test history with 15,921 runs. He made his debut at the age of 16 and went on to enjoy a distinguished 24-year international career, during which he played a pivotal role in India’s success against every other Test-playing nation.
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family to have this iconic series named after Sachin and myself. The rivalry between our two nations has always been something special, full of history, intensity, and unforgettable moments,” Sir James Anderson, the great fast bowler, said.
For his part, Sachin Tendulkar said, “For me, Test cricket embodies life – you give your best, and if things go wrong, it gives you another day to regroup, think, unlearn, and bounce back. It is the highest form of the game that teaches you endurance, discipline, and adaptability, against all odds. I owe my foundation to Test cricket, as it has seen me grow from disappointments to triumphs, from aspirations to fulfilment.”
“The Pataudi family also has a hugely important place in the cricketing connections between our countries, and I’m pleased that we will continue to honour their legacy through the awarding of the Pataudi Medal that will be provided to the winning captain,” Richard Thompson, Chair of the ECB, said.
Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, and the BCCI President Roger Binny, said it was a momentous occasion. “To rename the prestigious Test series between India and England after two absolute titans of the game, Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, is a fitting tribute to their unparalleled contributions,” Binny said.
