The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have jointly announced a significant and symbolic change ahead of the highly anticipated five-match Test series between England and India, set to begin on June 20, 2025.
In a move that celebrates the legacies of two of the most iconic figures in cricket history, the series will henceforth be named The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, in honor of England’s legendary fast bowler James Anderson and India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.
This prestigious renaming serves as a tribute to the unmatched achievements and enduring influence of both players in the realm of Test cricket. The official unveiling of the newly named trophy will take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, which begins on June 11, 2025. The event will symbolize the beginning of a new chapter in the rich cricketing rivalry between India and England, while celebrating the immense contributions of two players who have shaped the sport across generations, according to news agencies.
Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game, retired from international cricket in 2013 after an illustrious career that spanned 200 Test matches. His extraordinary record includes 15,921 runs and a record 51 Test centuries, setting a benchmark that remains unmatched to this day.
James Anderson, revered as the most successful pace bowler in the history of Test cricket, brought down the curtain on his remarkable career in July 2024 after playing 188 Test matches. He redefined the art of fast bowling, amassing a staggering 704 Test wickets — the highest ever by a pace bowler — and earning universal admiration for his skill, longevity, and consistency.
By naming the Test series after Tendulkar and Anderson, the ECB and BCCI have not only honored two cricketing giants but also underscored the deep respect and admiration shared between the two cricketing nations.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will now replace the Pataudi Trophy — previously awarded for Test series played in England between the two sides, named after Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi — as the official title for future bilateral Test series.
The inaugural edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will also serve as the opening series of the new World Test Championship cycle, commencing on June 20, 2025, with the first Test to be played at Headingley, Leeds. This historic move is expected to add further prestige and emotional resonance to one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries.
