The scheduled unveiling of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord's Cricket Ground today, June 14, 2025, has been postponed following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The decision to delay the launch of the trophy, which will now be awarded to the winner of the England-India Test series, was made out of respect for the victims and their families.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) jointly decided to postpone the event. An ECB official stated that the announcement would be delayed "out of respect for the lives lost," adding that both boards are working to determine a more appropriate time for the unveiling. The official also mentioned that the decision to postpone the announcement was made flexible due to the tragedy.
The Air India crash near Ahmedabad airport resulted in the loss of over 275 lives. The plane, AI-171, crashed shortly after takeoff. The disaster has cast a pall over India, leading to the postponement of numerous events as a sign of respect and mourning.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is a new symbol of supremacy for the England-India Test series. This replaces the Pataudi Trophy, which was previously awarded to the winner. The decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy was not met with universal approval. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, among others, questioned the necessity of altering the historical significance of the trophy.
Despite the introduction of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, efforts are being made to preserve the legacy of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, the former Indian captain after whom the Pataudi Trophy was named. The BCCI has requested the ECB to name one of the individual performance awards in the Test series after Pataudi. This would ensure that his contribution to Indian cricket is remembered and honored, even with the change in the trophy's name.
The five-match Test series between England and India is set to begin on June 20, 2025. The series was to be preceded by the trophy unveiling ceremony at Lord's during the World Test Championship (WTC) final between South Africa and Australia. Invitations had reportedly been sent to Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, the two legendary cricketers after whom the trophy is named.
The postponement reflects the deep respect and solidarity between the cricketing boards and the people affected by the tragedy. A new date for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy unveiling will be announced in due course, once both the ECB and BCCI deem it appropriate, given the circumstances.
