The drama over the name of the trophy for India’s tour of England is about to settle. The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy will be officially announced on June 19, a day before India and England lock horns in the opening Test at Headingley.
As per RevSportz, there won’t be a grand ceremony to launch the rechristened trophy, largely out of respect for the victims of the recent Ahmedabad plane crash. Instead, the announcement will be made through a formal press release, accompanied by pre-recorded messages from both Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, the two legends after whom the series is now named.
Pataudi Medal ensures legacy lives on
While the series trophy changes hands, the legacy of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi will not fade into the shadows. In a thoughtful compromise, the BCCI and ECB have agreed to award the Pataudi Medal for Excellence to the winning captain at the end of the series.
This addition comes after behind-the-scenes efforts from both Tendulkar and ICC Chair Jay Shah, who reached out to the Pataudi family as well as both boards to ensure the former trophy’s namesake was still honoured. The family has reportedly given its blessing.
Named originally to commemorate India’s 75 years in Test cricket in 2007, the Pataudi Trophy had become synonymous with the rivalry on English soil. This latest update now offers a graceful middle ground, where Tendulkar and Anderson headline a new legacy, and the Pataudi name continues as well.
