The upcoming Test series between India and England will be played for the newly named Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, a decision jointly announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This marks a significant moment in cricket history, as the trophy is named after two of the game's modern legends: Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson. The silverware is scheduled to be unveiled at Lord's on June 11, 2025, during the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The decision to rename the trophy is a tribute to the immense contributions of Tendulkar and Anderson to the sport. Sachin Tendulkar, an Indian icon, holds the record for the most runs in Test cricket, amassing 15,921 runs in 200 Test matches. His career, spanning from 1989 to 2013, is filled with numerous records and milestones that have inspired generations of cricketers. James Anderson, on the other hand, is England's all-time leading wicket-taker and the most successful fast bowler in Test history, with 704 wickets in 188 Tests. Anderson retired from international cricket in July 2024, concluding an illustrious career marked by skill, longevity, and unwavering passion.
Previously, Test series between England and India in England were played for the Pataudi Trophy, named after Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and his son, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. The ECB had communicated its decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy to the Pataudi family earlier this year. Test series played in India are named after the Anthony de Mello Trophy.
The Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy will be a unified name and trophy for Test series played between England and India. The inaugural series under this new banner will commence on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds, marking the beginning of the new WTC cycle. The five-match series will continue at Edgbaston, Birmingham (July 2-6), Lord's, London (July 10-14), Old Trafford, Manchester (July 23-27) and The Oval, London (July 31-August 4).
Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson faced each other in 14 Test matches. Anderson dismissed Tendulkar nine times in those matches, more than any other bowler in his career. Both players have expressed mutual respect and admiration for each other's achievements.
The introduction of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy follows a growing trend in international cricket to honor past legends through series names. The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy was introduced in 2024 for England-New Zealand Tests, and the India-Australia series retains its longstanding Border-Gavaskar title. These initiatives add historical depth and emotional connection to the sport, fostering a sense of legacy and continuity.
The squads for the series have been announced, with Shubman Gill leading the Indian side and Ben Stokes captaining England. The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's top-ranked Test teams, as they compete for the prestigious Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.
