Image: Is the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy the only trophy named after cricket legends? / © Mid-Day
The buzz around the India-England Test series is electric, with fans counting down to a blockbuster five-match showdown starting June 20, 2025, at Leeds. Both teams are locked in, ready to fight for the coveted prize and a crucial edge in the 2025-2027 World Test Championship. But just before the action begins, a major shake-up has stolen the spotlight. The Pataudi Trophy, a symbol of India-England Test rivalry since 2007, celebrating 75 years of their cricketing battles, is being retired. In its place comes the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, a new honour paying tribute to two giants of the game — Sachin Tendulkar, the batting maestro, and James Anderson, the swing-bowling legend. It’s a fresh chapter for this storied clash, and the stage is set for something special.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) | Time (GMT / Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | June 20–24, 2025 | Leeds | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 2nd Test | July 2–6, 2025 | Birmingham | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 3rd Test | July 10–14, 2025 | Lord’s | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 4th Test | July 23–27, 2025 | Manchester | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
| 5th Test | July 31 – August 4, 2025 | The Oval | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM Local |
Sachin Tendulkar, India’s batting maestro, holds the record for the most runs in Test history, scoring 15,921 runs in 200 matches between 1989 and 2013. On the other side, James Anderson, England’s pace icon, is the country’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 704 scalps in 188 Tests, retiring in 2024. The two faced off in 14 Tests, with Anderson dismissing Tendulkar nine times — more than any other bowler. This new trophy celebrates their epic rivalry and lasting impact on the game. With the series now renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, did you know that several other cricket series have also been named after legendary players?
One of cricket’s biggest rivalries, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a heart-pounding Test series between India and Australia, named after two absolute legends: Australia’s Allan Border and India’s Sunil Gavaskar. Since it kicked off in the 1996/97 season, this clash has had fans glued to their seats, delivering some of the best Test cricket you’ll ever see. Both teams have thrown punches back and forth, making every series a rollercoaster. India got off to a flyer, winning 1-0 in 1996/97 in a one-off Test at home. They kept the momentum, grabbing a 2-1 victory in 1997/98.
But Australia hit back hard in 1999/00, sweeping India 3-0 on their turf — a real statement! The early 2000s were pure drama. India staged an epic 2-1 comeback in 2000/01 — think Laxman and Harbhajan magic — while 2003/04 ended in a tense 1-1 draw. Australia took control with 2-1 wins in 2004/05 and 2007/08, but India owned their home ground, cruising to 2-0 victories in 2008/09 and 2010/11. The 2010s were India’s time to shine.
They crushed Australia 4-0 in 2012/13 and edged a 2-1 win in 2016/17. Then came history: India won in Australia, 2-1 in 2018/19, and again in 2020/21, 2-1, showing real guts. Australia fought back with a 2-0 win in 2014/15 and a 3-1 triumph in 2024/25. India’s often ruled at home, like the 2-1 win in 2022/23. This series, with Border and Gavaskar’s legacy, is cricket at its finest!
The Frank Worrell Trophy is something special — Australia and West Indies, two cricket giants, going toe-to-toe! It’s named after Sir Frank Worrell, the West Indies’ first Black captain and a total legend who made the game better just by being himself. This Test series kicked off back in 1960, and it’s given us stuff we’ll never forget — like that crazy tied Test in 1960/61, the first ever! Australia still sneaked that series 2-1, and it set the vibe for some wild battles.
The early years were a proper scrap. Australia edged it 2-1 in 1960/61, but West Indies came roaring back in 1964/65, taking it 2-1 with some serious flair. The ‘70s were Australia’s time — big wins like 3-1 in 1968/69, 2-0 in 1972/73, and a huge 5-1 in 1975/76, just steamrolling! Then the West Indies flipped the script. Late ‘70s and ‘80s were their glory days — 3-1 in 1977/78, 2-0 in 1979/80, and a clean 3-0 sweep in 1983/84.
They were unstoppable with all fire and passion! They kept it up — 3-1 in 1984/85 and 1988/89, then 2-1 in 1990/91 and 1992/93. But the ‘90s turned things around. Australia found their rhythm, grabbing 2-1 in 1994/95 and a super-tight 3-2 in 1996/97. The 2000s? Australia’s show — 5-0 in 2000/01, 3-1 in 2003, 3-0 in 2005/06. They rolled on with 2-0 wins in 2008, 2009/10, 2011/12, and 2015. In 2022/23, they took it 2-0, but 2023/24 was a 1-1 draw — West Indies still fighting!
Whenever England and South Africa square off, the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy grabs your heart — it’s a Test series that’s as much about cricket as it is about a powerful story. It’s named after Basil D’Oliveira, a brilliant player born in South Africa who went on to play 44 Tests and four ODIs for England. Back home, during the tough apartheid days, he was called “Coloured” in a system that split folks into White, Black, Coloured, and Indian. In 1968, England chose him for a tour to South Africa, and it caused a real uproar. The hosts, caught up in their racial rules, called off the trip. But Basil, a proud Warwickshire boy, stood tall, and this trophy carries his spirit — a symbol of courage, unity, and smashing down walls.
The battles kicked off in 2004/05, and wow, what a launch! England dug deep in South Africa, winning 2-1 over five matches — pure grit! South Africa didn’t stay down long. In 2008, they stormed England and fought back, grabbing a 2-1 win with real fire. The 2009/10 clash in South Africa was super close, ending 1-1 — neither side budged! Then, in 2012, South Africa rocked up in England and ruled, taking a 2-0 win in three matches — total class.
England hit their stride in 2015/16, scraping a 2-1 victory in South Africa — tough, gutsy stuff! Back home in 2017, they kept the crowd buzzing, sealing a 3-1 win. The 2019/20 series was a belter, with England charging to a 3-1 triumph in South Africa, showing their flair. And in 2022, they clinched a 2-1 win on home turf in a three-match fight, keeping this rivalry alive and kicking.
A Test series where spin steals the show — that’s the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy for you, named after two total legends: Australia’s Shane Warne and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan. These guys were pure magic, spinning the ball like wizards and going head-to-head with fire in their eyes. This trophy honours the massive mark they left on cricket, and since it started in 2007, the Australia-Sri Lanka clashes have given us moments we’ll talk about forever — full of heart, skill, and drama!
It all fired up in 2007/08, with Australia bossing it at home, snagging a 2-0 win in a snappy two-match series — Warne’s spirit still ringing loud. They took that energy to Sri Lanka in 2011, sneaking a 1-0 victory over three games, then cranked it up with a 3-0 sweep back home in 2012/13 — pure dominance! But Sri Lanka said, “Not so fast!” In 2016, on their own patch, they weaved a spin spell around Australia, pulling off an awesome 3-0 whitewash — a proper clinic that had us all buzzing.
Australia weren’t backing down, though! They roared back in 2018/19, grabbing a 2-0 win at home in two matches, showing real guts. The 2022 series in Sri Lanka was a belter — super close, super tense, and landing at a 1-1 draw, keeping us on the edge and just recently, in 2024/25, Australia rolled into Sri Lanka and clinched a 2-0 victory, proving they’ve still got it.
This thrilling ODI series, named after Australia’s legendary Chappell brothers — Ian and Greg — and New Zealand’s iconic pace maestro Richard Hadlee, is pure cricket magic. Since kicking off in 2004, it’s been a rollercoaster of close contests that keep fans on the edge of their seats. It all started in 2004/05 in Australia, with both teams trading blows to finish at a 1-1 draw over three matches — a taste of the tight tussles to come. The next year, in 2005/06, Australia nudged ahead, clinching a 2-1 win in New Zealand.
But the Kiwis weren’t having it! They roared back in 2006/07, sweeping Australia 3-0 on home soil, a proper show of grit and flair. Australia hit back in 2007/08, taking a 2-0 victory at home, only for 2008/09 to deliver a nail-biting 2-2 draw across five games — pure drama! In 2009/10, Australia edged a 3-2 thriller in New Zealand, and they kept the upper hand with a 1-0 win in a one-off match in India during 2010/11.
New Zealand had their moments, though, shining with a 1-0 victory in a single game in 2014/15, then a 2-1 triumph in 2015/16 at home. The 2016/17 season was a split affair: Australia dominated with a 3-0 rout on their turf, but New Zealand answered with a 2-0 win in their backyard. Australia took charge again, grabbing a 1-0 win in 2019/20 and a convincing 3-0 sweep in 2022, both at home. The latest chapter, in 2023/24, saw Australia storm to a 3-0 victory in New Zealand, cementing their edge.