Starting June 20, Team India will face England in a five-match Test series. According to reports, the upcoming series will be contested for a newly introduced trophy named after two cricketing legends – Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson. The series will kick off at Headingley.
The Pataudi Trophy was first introduced in 2007 to commemorate 75 years of Test cricket between India and England. It was named in honour of the Pataudi family, which gave Indian cricket two captains – Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.
However, this time, the series will not be played for the Pataudi Trophy. Instead, it will be contested for the newly announced Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, which pays tribute to two modern cricketing greats who defined an era of intense India-England rivalry.
Gavaskar Expresses Discontent
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed disappointment over the reported decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to drop the Pataudi Trophy. In his column for Sportstar, he wrote:
“The recent news that the ECB is removing the Pataudi Trophy, which is awarded to the winners of the Test series played in England between England and India, is deeply disturbing. This is the first time that a trophy named after individuals is being replaced. Although it is entirely ECB’s decision and the BCCI may have been informed, it shows a lack of sensitivity towards the contribution of the Pataudi family to cricket in both England and India.”
Sachin Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests between 1989 and 2013, remains the highest run-scorer in Test history with 15,921 runs, while James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, is also the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket with 704 wickets.
The two legends faced off in 14 Test matches, with Anderson dismissing Tendulkar nine times.
This move follows a similar step taken last year by England and New Zealand, who introduced the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, named after Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe. England won that series 2-1.
