India vs England: Anderson-Tendulkar New Trophy Unveiled, Pataudi Legacy to Continue with Special Award - All You Need to Know

The Test series between India and England will now be contested for the newly introduced Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, replacing the Pataudi Trophy and the Anthony De Mello Trophy.

This change, jointly announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will take effect from the upcoming five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.

The new trophy is named in honour of England fast bowler Sir James Anderson and India's batting great Sachin Tendulkar-two of the most accomplished players in the history of Test cricket.

India vs England: Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy unveiled

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be the permanent award for all future Test series between the two nations, whether played in India or England. The trophy features imagery of both Anderson and Tendulkar in action along with their engraved signatures.

Anderson, who retired from international cricket after the Lord's Test against the West Indies earlier this month, is the most successful fast bowler in Test history with 704 wickets from 188 matches. Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests, remains the format's highest run-scorer with 15,921 runs.

India vs England Test Series: How will the Pataudi Legacy Continue?

The Pataudi Trophy, previously awarded in England leg of the series, will no longer be in use. However, the ECB confirmed that the Pataudi family will continue to be honoured through a new Pataudi Medal, which will be presented to the winning captain at the end of each Test series between India and England.

The Pataudi name has long held significance in India-England cricket relations, with Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi having played for both countries and later captaining India.

Sachin Tendulkar expressed his pride in being associated with the trophy and emphasised his connection with Test cricket.

"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," Tendulkar said. "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," he added.

The rechristened tournament will have the same intensity as Shubman Gill's men take on Ben Stokes and his English troops. It will also mark the start of the new WTC cycle, set to continue till 2027.