The eagerly awaited India vs England Test series, set to begin on June 20 in Leeds, will mark the debut of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, replacing the iconic Pataudi Trophy that had symbolized India’s tours of England since 2007. The original Pataudi Trophy was instituted to celebrate 75 years since India’s first Test match against England and had become a prestigious prize in bilateral contests.
When played in India, the series continues to be named the Anthony de Mello Trophy, after a former BCCI president. While the renaming signals a shift, it also pays tribute to two modern-day legends—Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, and James Anderson, England’s most successful Test bowler, who recently retired in 2024.
BCCI’s Appeal and Gavaskar’s Strong Opposition
While the decision to rename the trophy lies solely with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had reportedly “requested” the ECB to retain some recognition for the Pataudi legacy. A BCCI official noted that the board urged the ECB to name one of the post-match awards after Pataudi, but acknowledged that the final call rests with the hosts.
The move to retire the Pataudi Trophy has drawn sharp criticism, most notably from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who called the ECB’s decision “disturbing.” Writing in Sportstar, Gavaskar emphasized that such a step disregards the immense contributions of both Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his father Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi to Indian and English cricket.
A Legacy Overshadowed by Modern Icons?
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, affectionately known as “Tiger,” was widely regarded as one of India’s finest captains. He played 46 Tests, scored 2793 runs at an average of 34.91, and notched six centuries, including an unbeaten 203. His father, Iftikhar Ali Khan, had also captained India.
The retirement of a trophy named after such cricketing royalty is rare but not unprecedented; the Wisden Trophy was similarly retired and replaced with the Richards-Botham Trophy. Still, Gavaskar cautioned against repeating such moves and urged modern Indian players to think twice before accepting such honors, as they may face similar erasure in the future. The shift from Pataudi to Tendulkar-Anderson marks a new era—but one not without controversy.
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