Media365
Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has criticised England’s conduct during the final day of the fourth Test in Manchester, calling their behaviour unsportsmanlike after India declined an early handshake to draw the match. Speaking on the Willow Talk Podcast, Haddin praised India’s fightback and lashed out at England for trying to end the match once it became clear they couldn’t win. “India showed tremendous fight on the final day. Then all of a sudden, it was a situation when England said they can’t win so then let’s stop the game because England are done playing,” Haddin said.
He backed Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were batting in the 90s and opted to carry on despite England skipper Ben Stokes proposing to call it a draw before the final hour. “I liked what India did, they earned the right to stay as long as they want. They had the right to make the hundred. Just because it didn’t go England’s way and they didn’t get the answer they want, all of a sudden they weren’t happy and started getting verbal,” Haddin added.
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India coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill also defended their players. “If someone is batting on 90 and the other on 85, don’t they deserve a hundred?” Gambhir asked. The situation escalated as Stokes and other England players questioned India’s decision, leading to a frosty exchange. In response, Jadeja calmly brought up his century with a six off part-timer Harry Brook, as India ended at 425 for 4, 114 runs ahead, forcing a draw.
