The rivalry between India and England is getting a new name – the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. This series will be named after England’s veteran fast bowler James Anderson and India’s legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
The New Era
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made this decision before the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. According to ESPN Cricinfo, Tendulkar and Anderson will launch the trophy at Lord’s during the WTC final, which starts on June 11.
A Tribute to Legends
James Anderson, the most successful fast bowler in Test history with 704 wickets in 188 matches, retired in July 2024. Sachin Tendulkar, considered one of the greatest batsmen, retired in 2013 after playing 200 Test matches. Both players have been a part of international cricket for a long time and have made the Test format exciting with their skills.
Previously, India and England played for different trophies based on the host country. In England, they played for the Pataudi Trophy, named after India’s former captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. In India, the series was played for the Anthony De Mello Trophy, named after the founder of Indian cricket administration.
The trend of naming series after great players started recently in Test cricket. In November 2024, the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy was introduced for England-New Zealand Tests, named after New Zealand’s Martin Crowe and England’s Graham Thorpe. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is another example, played between Australia and India.
Sachin Tendulkar scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests, with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries, between 1989 and 2013. James Anderson took 704 wickets in 188 Tests between 2003 and 2024, with 32 five-wicket hauls in an innings. He is the most successful fast bowler in Tests.