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"Huge Honour" James Anderson On IND-ENG Series Renamed On Him And Sachin Tendulkar

Akshita Patel

James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar gets huge honour ahead of IND-ENG Series [Source: @ankitajkhs/X.com]James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar gets huge honour ahead of IND-ENG Series [Source: @ankitajkhs/X.com]

In a historical decision, the legendary Test series between India and England was named the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy. Reacting to this major honour, James Anderson said he was shocked and humbled.

The announcement came just days before the two cricketing giants are set to clash in a 5-match Test series starting June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds. This new name replaces the former Pataudi Trophy, which had been in place since 2007.

The series now honours two of the greatest players in the history of cricket, India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in international cricket, and England’s legendary fast bowler James Anderson, the highest wicket-taking pacer in the world.

James Anderson Overwhelmed With Huge Honour

Former England pacer James Anderson, meanwhile, was overwhelmed and honoured to have the series renamed after him. Talking to ESPN Cricinfo, he added that Tendulkar is an “absolute legend” and he shared fond memories of playing against him.

Anderson also looked back at England’s memorable 2012 Test series win in India, calling it a "special moment."

 “It’s a huge honour. I still can’t quite believe it. Sachin is someone I looked up to when I was growing up, though I don’t want to do him a disservice with his age. I remember watching him, an absolute legend of the game, and I played against him a lot as well. So to have this trophy is a huge honour for me, and I couldn’t be more proud," Anderson told Cricinfo (via Sports Tak). 

This new trophy also marks the start of the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, making the upcoming series even more crucial. India will aim to end their winless run in England, which has lasted since 2007.

Anderson Expects A Thrilling Encounter Between India-England

Looking ahead to the first edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, James Anderson expects another thrilling battle, much like the 2022 series that ended 2-2 after the final Test was delayed due to Covid.

"This series is going to be exactly the same as you'd expect. I know India are going through a little bit of change with a new captain [Shubman Gill], and losing [Virat] Kohli and [Rohit] Sharma, but I still think they've got a strong squad with some really exciting players. England obviously are trying to play a certain way. It lends itself to a really exciting series," Anderson added while speaking to Cricinfo (via ESPN).

He acknowledged the changes in the Indian team with Shubman Gill taking over the captaincy and the absence of veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. But he is of the opinion that India has hot young talent in the team.