Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy Unveiling Postponed at Lord’s – Here’s Why

The much-awaited unveiling of new 'Anderson-Tendulkar' trophy was cancelled in light of the Thursday Ahmedbad plane disaster. The silverware is for the five-match Test series between India and England, set to begin June 20, was supposed to be unveiled on Saturday, Day 4 of the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia, at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, which has now been delayed to a later date. _All 241_ were lost in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedbad.

"The trophy was set to be unveiled today during Day 4 of the WTC Final. But it has been postponed due to the Ahmedabad air crash. The silverware will now be unveiled sometime later. The announcement will be made soon," an ECB official confirmed to Hindustan Times.

India and England will no longer be playing for the Pataudi Trophy the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) renamed the forthcoming five-match Test series the 'Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy'.

Also Read: ‘I Lost My Father Too in Road Accident’: Aviation Minister Stands With Families of Air India Crash Victims

The sentiment over the decision to retire naming the Pataudi Trophy has largely been a lackluster one as some legendary cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar asked what was wrong with playing with history and where was the need to rename the trophies.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now recognized the need to remember former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Sources familiar with the developments confirmed to Hindustan Times that the ECB has received a written request from the Indian cricket board for one of their individual awards for individual performance to be named for Pataudi.

"There has been a request made to the ECB to name one of the post-match or post-series awards on Pataudi. The decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy was taken by the ECB. The BCCI had no role in renaming the trophy since the series is being played in England," sources privy to developments confirmed to Hindustan Times.

It is believed that the ECB may agree to name the Player of the Series award for Pataudi. It should be noted that when a series concludes in the UK between India and England, the organisers are obliged to give a Player of the Series award from both countries when the series ends.

The Player of the Series is selected by the coaches of both team and the head coach for England, Brendon McCullum, will decide the Player of the Series from India, while India coach Gautam Gambhir will decided the winner from England.

Also Read: WTC Final 2025, SA vs AUS Live: Markram’s Masterclass Takes South Africa to Brink of Historic Win

Why is the Pataudi Trophy being renamed?

It is not known yet why the ECB has chosen to move on and retire the Pataudi Trophy. Reports indicate the England board had previously informed Pataudi's son, Saif Ali Khan, about the retirement earlier this year. The Pataudi Trophy was created in 2007 - the last time India won a Test series in England - to mark India's 75th anniversary of its first Test match in 1932.

At the age of 21, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was the youngest Indian captain. His father, Iftikhar Ali Khan played for India and England.

India and England will now play for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with reports suggesting this pair will unveil the trophy ahead of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds.

Anderson retired from international cricket in July 2024, and joins the list of wicket-takers in Tests by pacers. He has recorded 704 wickets in 188 Tests. On the other hand, Sachin Tendulkar is the leading scorer in Tests with 15,921 runs from 200 Tests.

Also Read: NEET Result 2025 OUT: Live Updates, Direct Link, Cut-Offs & Toppers List