In a fiery column that has sparked spirited debate among cricket enthusiasts, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the naming convention of the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England, currently dubbed the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Gavaskar, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, argues that the name of Sachin Tendulkar, an icon of the game with unparalleled achievements, should precede that of England’s veteran pacer James Anderson.
Writing for Mid-Day, Gavaskar expressed his discontent with the decision, reportedly influenced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), to place Anderson’s name first. He dismissed the excuse of alphabetical ordering, emphasizing Tendulkar’s seniority—having debuted in 1989, over a decade before Anderson’s first Test in 2003—and his monumental contributions to cricket. ‘For most Indian cricket lovers, it is jarring to see Anderson’s name ahead. Tendulkar, alongside Kapil Dev, is arguably the greatest Indian cricketer. He holds the record for the most runs (15,921) and centuries (51) in Test cricket, and his ODI stats are equally staggering with 18,426 runs, a mark no one has surpassed,’ Gavaskar wrote.
Diving deeper into the comparison, the former Indian captain highlighted the disparity in achievements. ‘Anderson, while a remarkable bowler with 700 Test wickets, sits third on the all-time list and has thrived predominantly in English conditions. His away record pales in comparison to Tendulkar’s consistency across formats and geographies. Moreover, Tendulkar is a World Cup winner from 2011, a feat Anderson hasn’t achieved in his illustrious career,’ he argued. Gavaskar urged Indian fans and media to rename the series in their discourse as the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, reflecting what he believes is rightful recognition.
Shifting focus, Gavaskar also critiqued the structure of the Pataudi Medal of Excellence, awarded to the captain of the series-winning team. He questioned the logic behind this, asking, ‘Why only the captain? And what if the series ends in a draw?’ Proposing an alternative, he suggested instituting a Pataudi Medal for the Player of the Match in each Test, culminating in a Pataudi Trophy for the Player of the Series. ‘This ensures the legacy of the Pataudi family is honored after every Test and at the series’ conclusion in England,’ he remarked.
As the IND vs ENG series unfolds, Gavaskar’s comments add a layer of intrigue off the field. With Tendulkar’s legacy including 100 international centuries and Anderson’s grit as one of Test cricket’s most enduring pacers, the naming debate is unlikely to fade soon. For now, fans on both sides await the on-field action to see which team claims bragging rights in this storied rivalry.