The England Men’s and India Men’s Test teams will honour Sir James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar with a new trophy dedicated to their remarkable achievements in Test cricket. The next edition of this great rivalry takes place this summer, with the Rothesay five-match Test series getting underway at Headingley on Friday 20 June.
The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, a joint initiative between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will now represent all future Test series between England and India. Previously, the series in England was played for the Pataudi Trophy and the series in India for the Anthony De Mello Trophy.
The Pataudi family will continue to be honoured, with a newly commissioned Pataudi Medal to be presented to the winning captain of each England–India Test series.
The trophy features imagery of Anderson and Tendulkar in action, along with their engraved signatures– a fitting tribute to two of the game’s most iconic figures.
Both Anderson and Tendulkar are widely regarded as all-time greats. They are the most-capped players in the history of Test cricket: Tendulkar played 200 matches, and Anderson 188.
Anderson, considered one of the finest exponents of swing bowling, took 704 Test wickets, the most by a fast bowler in the format. The Lancashire seamer ranks third on the all-time list, behind only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.
Tendulkar, one of the most complete batters to have graced the game, remains the highest run-scorer in Test history with 15,921 runs. He made his debut at the age of 16 and went on to enjoy a distinguished 24-year international career, during which he played a pivotal role in India’s success against every other Test-playing nation.
Sir James Anderson, said: “It’s a proud moment for me and my family to have this iconic series named after Sachin and myself. The rivalry between our two nations has always been something special, full of history, intensity and unforgettable moments.
“To be recognised in this way is a real honour. I’m looking forward to seeing the next chapter unfold in England this summer. It promises to be compelling, competitive cricket - exactly what you’d expect from two great sides. This is elite sport at its finest.”
Sachin Tendulkar, said: “For me, Test cricket embodies life – you give your best, and if things go wrong, it gives you another day to regroup, think, unlearn, and bounce back. It is the highest form of the game that teaches you endurance, discipline and adaptability, against all odds. I owe my foundation to Test cricket, as it has seen me grow from disappointments to triumphs, from aspirations to fulfilment.
"India and England have played a big role in shaping Test cricket in a way that it remains an evolving inspiration for subsequent generations. And now, as I share this recognition with my on-field challenger and an off-field gentleman James, I hope that the world celebrates the essence of Test cricket even more - allowing it to traverse boundaries yet untrodden.”
Anderson set the standard in his Test career against India. In 39 matches, he took 149 wickets at an average of 25.47, including six five-wicket hauls.
In the 32 Tests he played against England, Tendulkar amassed 2,535 runs at an average of 51.73, with a highest score of 193 at Headingley in 2002, the home of Yorkshire, the county he represented as their first overseas player in 1992.
Alongside their illustrious careers on the field, Anderson was awarded a knighthood for services to cricket in 2024, while Tendulkar received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2014.