Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar has taken a strong stand against the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the naming of the newly introduced Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, expressing both disappointment and surprise at the order of names and the sidelining of the historic Pataudi Trophy.
The Name Game: Why Anderson First?
In his Mid-Day column, Gavaskar questioned the ECB’s decision to place James Anderson’s name before Sachin Tendulkar’s in the title of the series trophy.
“For most, if not all, Indian cricket lovers, it is jarring to know that Anderson’s name comes first,” he wrote.
“Sachin is not only senior by over a dozen years, but he’s also one of the greatest to ever play the game.”
For Gavaskar, the matter is more than just alphabetical order—it’s about legacy, seniority, and sheer impact.
He suggested that Indian fans and media should flip the script and start calling it the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy instead, because to him, that’s the more fitting name than Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
What About the Pataudi Trophy?
Sunil Gavaskar also voiced frustration over the demotion of the Pataudi Trophy, which had long symbolized the Test rivalry between England and India. While a Pataudi Medal will now be awarded to the winning captain, the iconic series name has been replaced.
And that, Gavaskar feels, is not just a missed opportunity, but a flawed decision.
“Why the captain? And what if the series is drawn?” he asked.
“It would have been better to have the Pataudi Medal for the Player of the Match in every Test, and the Pataudi Trophy for the Player of the Series.”
His point is simple: keep the Pataudi name alive and visible throughout the series, not tucked away behind a post-series captain’s presentation.
Stats Tell a Story
The criticism didn’t stop at names. Gavaskar drew a stark comparison between the records of James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar, particularly highlighting Tendulkar’s status as a global icon of the sport.
While Anderson is third on the list of Test wicket-takers, Gavaskar reminded readers that his success has largely come in home conditions. Tendulkar, on the other hand, has scored runs across the globe, in all formats, against all bowling attacks.
“Tendulkar is numero uno as far as runs and centuries are concerned in Test cricket,” Gavaskar noted.
“Anderson was a terrific bowler, but his record away is nowhere near as good as Tendulkar’s.”
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