Legendary cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson unveiled the newly called Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which will be played in future Test matches between England and India. The reveal took place ahead of the five-match Test series, which begins on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds and marks the commencement of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle (2025–27).

On the eve of the opening Test, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) unveiled the new trophy, which pays tribute to two of the sport’s most famous cricketers. The trophy has etched depictions and signatures of Tendulkar and Anderson.

James Anderson, who retired from international cricket last year, is the most successful fast bowler in Test history, with 704 wickets, 149 of which came against India in 39 Tests at an impressive average of 25.47.

“It’s an honour for me and my family to have this famous series named after Sachin and myself. The competition between our two countries has always been unique, full of history, emotion, and memorable incidents. Being honoured in this manner is a true honour. I’m excited to see the next chapter unfold in England this summer. It promises to be exciting, competitive cricket, just as you would expect from two strong teams. “This is elite sport at its finest,” Anderson said in a statement.

I owe my foundation to test cricket. Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar, on the other side, is the all-time best Test run-scorer, with 15,921 runs in 200 matches, including 2,535 runs against England at an average of 51.73.

“For me, Test cricket represents life: you give your everything, and if something goes wrong, you have another day to regroup, ponder, unlearn, and recover. It is the pinnacle of the game, teaching you endurance, discipline, and adaptation beyond all circumstances. I owe my foundation to Test cricket, which has seen me evolve from setbacks to successes, aspirations to fulfilment,” Tendulkar remarked as he posed with the English star for a historic snapshot.

Meanwhile, the new trophy, which replaced the Pataudi Trophy, has served as a symbol of the two countries’ cricketing relations since 2007. The trophy was named after Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, a great former Indian captain, in honour of the 75th anniversary of India’s first Test match in 1932. However, the boards have opted to honour the previous trophy by introducing the Pataudi Medal, which will be handed to the series’ winning captain.

Notably, the unveiling of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy sparked intense debate about the Pataudi Trophy and the decision to rename the Test series between the two countries. Following this, Tendulkar explained the debate and stated that he would go to any length to preserve its legacy.

“Yes, I have [remained silent]. Let me then tell you everything. First and foremost, the BCCI and ECB were responsible for deciding whether to retire the trophy. They didn’t tell me about their decision until after it was made. As far as the Pataudi family is concerned, I am aware of their commitment to Indian cricket. Pataudi senior played for both England and India, while Tiger Pataudi captained India with distinction. I didn’t witness them play because I wasn’t born, but I’ve heard their stories, and they inspire us all,” Tendulkar.