Anthony de Mello was one of the finest administrators in Indian sports. In many respects he was a pioneer and a visionary for the manner in which key Indian organizations and tournaments are held.
De Mello served as one of the founding members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Additionally, he also founded the Cricket Club of India and Asian Cricket Conference, and launched the National Sports Club of India. De Mello was the first to outline and structure the proposal of Ranji Trophy in India. As a cricketer, he was the first captain of the ‘Rest’ side of the Bombay Pentagular.
In 1951, England toured India for the first time for a test series. This trophy was named the Anthony de Mello Trophy. After the first tour in 1951, the second edition was held a decade later. Till 1992, England toured India at intervals of four years of less. This schedule was broken in the 1990s. It was after the 2001 tour of England to India when the original scheduling period returned.
Since it started, England have managed to win three series. Three of these were drawn. India have won the Anthony de Mello Trophy nine times. Sunil Gavaskar has been the leading run-scorer in the series as of 2024, having scored 1331 runs. The leading wicket-taker is Ravichandran Ashwin with 74 scalps to his name. No player has won the man of the series twice. Mike Gatting, Andrew Flintoff and Alastair Cook are the only English players to win the man of the series.
The Anthony de Mello Trophy is not to be confused with the Pataudi Trophy. The Pataudi Trophy is the test series that is held in England when India tour the English land.
