BCCI, ECB scrap Pataudi Trophy; England-India series renamed after Sachin Tendulkar, James Anderson

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly decided to honor legends Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson ahead of the five-match Test series. They have decided to rename the Pataudi Trophy after James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar.

England are set to host Team India in the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, starting on June 20 in Leeds. The Pataudi Trophy was named in honour of former Indian captains Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and his son Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. In India, the trophy was called the Anthony de Mello Trophy.

England-India Test Series to Be Renamed After Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson

As per an ESPNCricinfo report, cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson are set to unveil a newly renamed trophy during the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa. The unveiling will take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 11.

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"ESPNcricinfo has learned that both Tendulkar and Anderson will unveil the trophy at Lord's during the World Test Championship (WTC) final which gets underway from June 11," the report read.

The Pataudi Trophy was introduced in 2007 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first-ever Test match between India and England. Notably, the most recent series in 2022 ended in a 2-2 draw after England won the final Test at Edgbaston. England remain the last holders of the Pataudi Trophy.

James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar Most Capped Test Players for England and India

James Anderson retired in July 2024 with a tally of 704 wickets in 188 matches. After stepping away from international cricket, he joined as England’s bowling consultant. Anderson also resumed playing county cricket for Lancashire after signing a one-year extension.

Sachin Tendulkar, considered one of the greatest batters, is the all-time highest run-scorer in Test cricket with 15,921 runs at an average of 53.79, including 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries in the format. He played 200 Tests during his 24-year career from 1989 to 2013.

The two cricket greats faced each other in 14 Test matches, with Anderson dismissing Tendulkar nine times—more than any other bowler.

Sunil Gavaskar Slams Decision to Rename Pataudi Trophy, Calls Move "Disturbing"

In April, Sunil Gavaskar had expressed his displeasure over the decision to rename the Pataudi Trophy. Writing in his Sportstar column, the former India captain called the move “disturbing” and criticized it for ignoring the legacy of the Pataudi family.

"The recent news that the ECB is going to retire the Pataudi Trophy, given to the winners of the Test series between England and India in England, is disturbing indeed. It shows a total lack of sensitivity to the contribution made by the Pataudis to cricket in both England and India," Gavaskar had written in his column for Sportstar.

Notably, the Anthony de Mello Trophy is presented to the winner of the Test series played between India and England on Indian soil. India currently hold the trophy, having secured a 4-1 series victory over England in 2024.

The trophy is named in honor of Anthony de Mello, who served as BCCI's first secretary and later as president between 1946–47 and 1950–51.

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