The launch of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the newly named prize for the India-England Test series in England, has been postponed following the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. The decision, made jointly by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), reflects respect for the victims of the aviation disaster that claimed over 275 lives. The ceremony was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 14, coinciding with the World Test Championship final at Lord's.
The Air India AI-171 flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12. The crash site was near a residential area in Meghaninagar. Initial reports indicate the plane struggled to gain altitude after taking off at 1:39 PM local time. The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, sent a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) but received no response before the aircraft crashed.
The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Only one person, an Indian-origin British national, survived the crash. The disaster marks India's deadliest aviation incident in over 15 years.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Aviation experts have suggested several potential causes, including engine failure, fuel contamination, bird strikes, or issues with the aircraft's propulsion system. Former Deputy Director of the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Saligram J. Murlidhar, raised the possibility of fuel contamination as a major factor. He noted that the aircraft, carrying over 35 tons of fuel, failed to gain altitude, suggesting a significant technical malfunction. The flight's black box has been recovered, and investigators are working to extract the data to understand the engine and control settings during the final moments of the flight.
The decision to postpone the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy launch demonstrates the sensitivity of the cricketing boards to the tragedy. A senior ECB official stated, "Given the tragic events in India, the announcement may wait a while out of respect." Both boards are now considering a flexible timeline for the ceremony. Invitations had been sent to James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar, the legends after whom the trophy is named.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is set to replace the Pataudi Trophy, which has been awarded to the winners of England-India Test series in England since 2007. The ECB is reconsidering how to retain the Pataudi legacy, potentially through a medallion named after the late MAK Pataudi, to be awarded to the winning captain. The first of the five India-England Tests is scheduled to begin on June 20 in Leeds.
