LONDON, June 14, 2025:
In a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, the scheduled launch of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy—set to be the new face of the England-India Test series—has been postponed. The announcement was originally planned to take place during the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s on Saturday.
According to sources in both cricket boards, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made a joint last-minute decision to defer the event in light of the national mourning in India following one of the country’s worst aviation disasters.
“Given the tragic events in India, the announcement may wait a while out of respect for the lives lost,” said a senior ECB official to Cricbuzz. “The announcement had been kept flexible due to the tragedy.”
✈️ The Tragedy That Prompted the Delay
On Thursday, June 12, the AI-171 Air India aircraft crashed near Ahmedabad Airport, resulting in the loss of over 275 lives, including 241 passengers. This devastating incident led both cricket boards to reconsider the timing of any celebratory announcements.
Invites for the event had already been sent to cricketing legends Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, after whom the new trophy is named. The two icons were expected to be present at the ceremonial unveiling. However, the launch has now been put on hold, with officials indicating that a new date may be announced depending on the situation.
🏆 The Future of the Pataudi Trophy
While the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was introduced to replace the Pataudi Trophy, which has been awarded since 2007 to the winner of England-India Test series held in England, fresh developments suggest that the Pataudi legacy will continue in a different form.
Cricbuzz has confirmed that after a personal request from Sachin Tendulkar, both the ECB and BCCI revisited the idea of preserving the Pataudi name. It is reported that Jay Shah, the former BCCI Secretary and current ICC Chair, played a key role in this decision.
“Yes, there is a confirmed plan to retain the Pataudi link in the England-India series,” an ECB official confirmed. “We’re likely to introduce a Pataudi Medallion to be awarded to the winning captain.”
This move balances the honouring of modern greats like Anderson and Tendulkar while ensuring the legacy of the late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, a celebrated figure in India-England cricket history, remains intact.
📌 What’s Next?
- The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy launch remains postponed, with a flexible rescheduling timeline under consideration.
- The Pataudi Medallion is expected to be introduced as a part of the bilateral Test series recognition.
- BCCI and ECB are expected to announce updates following the national period of mourning in India.