Media365
NEW DELHI: India’s thrilling 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England will be remembered not only for the cricketing drama across five hard-fought Tests, but also for the off-field debates it sparked — none more polarising than the fourth Test handshake controversy in Manchester.The moment in question came when Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined England skipper Ben Stokes’ offer to end the game in a draw in the fourth Test, choosing instead to continue batting. The incident ignited widespread debate on social media, with fans and pundits split over whether the move reflected poor sportsmanship or strategic brilliance.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has now firmly weighed in, offering full-throated support to the Indian team’s decision. In a video shared on Reddit, Tendulkar said, “Why should they go ahead and shake hands and give rest to England bowlers and fielders? If England wanted to hand the ball to Harry Brook, that was Stokes’ choice. It wasn’t India’s problem.”
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He continued: “Washington scored a hundred, Jadeja scored a hundred. Why is it not in the right spirit? They were playing for a draw, not their hundreds. If they had gotten out when they came to bat, we could’ve lost.”Tendulkar’s defence of Team India didn’t stop there. He pointed out the strategic importance of denying England a chance to refresh their bowlers before the decider at The Oval: “The series was alive. So why should England’s bowlers be kept fresh for the fifth Test? Do you have an answer for that? No!”Tendulkar also praised Sundar’s adaptability: “Where it was needed to occupy the crease, he did that in the fourth Test. When it was time to press the accelerator, he did that in the fifth. Well done, Washy.”Ending the debate with conviction, Tendulkar said, “I am absolutely with the Indian team — be it Gambhir or Shubman or Jadeja or Washington. I’m 100 percent with them.”
