Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticized the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for naming the ongoing India-England Test series the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, arguing that Sachin Tendulkar’s achievements far surpass those of James Anderson and that the batting maestro’s name should come first.
“Anderson’s record is nowhere as good as Tendulkar’s in one-day cricket. Tendulkar is also part of a World Cup-winning team, which Anderson is not,” Gavaskar wrote in his Mid-Day column.
🏏 Gavaskar Questions Naming Order and Legacy
Gavaskar emphasized that Tendulkar is senior to Anderson by over a decade, holds the record for most runs and centuries in Test and ODI cricket, and has had a global impact across formats. He dismissed the ECB’s explanation that the names were listed alphabetically, calling it a “lame” justification.
“Jimmy Anderson was a terrific bowler, but mainly in English conditions. His record away is nowhere near as good as Tendulkar’s,” Gavaskar added.
🏆 Pataudi Trophy Controversy Rekindled
The renaming of the Pataudi Trophy—which honored the legacy of Iftikhar Ali Khan and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi—has already sparked backlash. Gavaskar had earlier voiced concerns about erasing the Pataudi legacy. In response, the ECB introduced the Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the series-winning captain, though Gavaskar suggested it would be more fitting to award it to the Player of the Match in each Test.
📣 Call to Indian Fans and Media
Gavaskar urged Indian cricket fans and media to refer to the series as the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, reflecting what he believes is a more appropriate recognition of cricketing greatness.
Stay tuned for more updates from the India-England Test series.
