The iconic India-England Test series, long contested for the Pataudi Trophy, is undergoing a significant rebrand. Starting June 20, the two sides will now compete for the newly named Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy. The decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to retire the Pataudi Trophy name has stirred strong reactions from fans and cricketing legends alike.
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle criticized the decision, emphasizing the symbolic weight carried by the Pataudi name. “I very much like the idea of Pataudi trophies because it was a link between our countries. Pataudi Sr played Test cricket for India and England, he captained India on the 46 tour of England. Junior Tiger went to school, was an astounding school cricketer ..all kinds of records, played at Sussex, had strong linkages there.. but was a proud and loyal captain of India.. so I think the link between the two countries are strong ..sometimes in the need of immediacy we sacrifice history ..I thought it was a very good name. But now that you’ve done it, will the series be called Kohli-Root trophy 10 years from now?” Bhogle told NDTV.
Why the Pataudi Trophy mattered
Introduced in 2007, the Pataudi Trophy honored the contributions of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and his father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi — both of whom captained India, with the senior Pataudi also having played for England. The trophy stood as a rare cross-national tribute and symbol of shared cricketing heritage.
England are the most recent holders of the Pataudi Trophy, having drawn the pandemic-disrupted 2021-22 series 2-2.
Legends honored, but history questioned
The new name recognizes two modern-day titans of the game: Sachin Tendulkar, the all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 15,921 runs, and James Anderson, England’s most prolific bowler and Test cricket’s leading pacer with 704 wickets.
Their on-field battles are etched into cricketing folklore. In 14 Tests against each other, Anderson dismissed Tendulkar nine times — more than any other bowler.
Since his retirement from international cricket in 2023, Anderson has taken up the role of bowling consultant for England and continues to play county cricket with Lancashire.
Pataudi legacy may still be remembered
In response to the backlash, reports suggest a commemorative medallion named after Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi may be awarded to the winning captain, preserving some element of the original tribute.
Still, for many like Bhogle, the shift marks a concerning trend. A move made with contemporary fanfare, but potentially at the cost of historical depth.
