Pataudi Trophy Between India vs England Renamed as Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy

The upcoming five-match Test series between India and England, starting June 20 at Headingley, will no longer be played for the historic Pataudi Trophy. Instead, a new trophy named after two modern-day legends, Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson will reportedly take its place.

This change comes as a major shift in the traditional India-England Test rivalry in England. The Pataudi Trophy, which was first introduced in 2007 to mark 75 years since the first Test match between India and England, held deep historical value.

It honoured the legacy of the Pataudi family, with Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi playing for both England and India, and his son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (Tiger Pataudi) famously leading India in the 1960s and 70s.

While many fans were expecting another chapter in the Pataudi Trophy history, the focus now shifts to two modern cricket greats Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in Test history with 15,921 runs, and James Anderson, England’s top wicket-taker with 704 Test wickets.

The two legends faced off in 14 Tests, where Anderson dismissed Tendulkar nine times, the most by any bowler against the Indian icon.

Interestingly, this renaming move follows a similar precedent set last year when England and New Zealand replaced their series trophy with the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, honouring former players Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe. England won that series 2-1.

Even after retiring from international cricket last summer, Anderson remains involved with the sport. He’s taken on a bowling consultant role and continues to play county cricket for Lancashire, having recently signed an extension.