Sachin Tendulkar breaks his silence on Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja’s refusal to accept Ben Stokes’ handshake during the fourth India vs England Test in Manchester. Tendulkar didn’t hold back, stating that it wasn’t their responsibility to rest England’s bowlers for the next Test.
The five-match Test series ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving fans with many memorable moments. One notable moment happened on the final day of the fourth Test. Stokes tried to offer a handshake, but Jadeja and Sundar kept batting, aiming for centuries. This sparked debates about whether their actions were in the right ‘spirit.’
Now, with the controversy settling, Sachin Tendulkar breaks his silence on why Washington Sundar and Jadeja ignored the handshake. Tendulkar defended their actions, explaining that they focused on securing a draw, not resting England’s players.
Tendulkar’s Firm Stance on Jadeja and Sundar’s Actions
Tendulkar didn’t mince words. He said that Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja did nothing wrong by not accepting Ben Stokes’ handshake. He pointed out that the two players were committed to fighting for the draw and prioritizing India’s interests.
“Washington scored a hundred, and Jadeja scored a hundred. Why is it not in the right spirit?” Tendulkar said during his post-series analysis on Reddit.
Tendulkar further stressed that it wasn’t India’s problem if England wanted to rest their bowlers for the fifth Test. He explained that Jadeja and Sundar were just doing their job.
The Controversy of Ben Stokes’ Handshake and India’s Response
The handshake incident came after a hard-fought battle between India and England. Jadeja and Sundar stood in the 80s when Stokes initiated the handshake protocol. However, the Indian players kept batting, striving for centuries. This led to debates about sportsmanship. Tendulkar firmly supported their actions, saying that they weren’t obligated to consider England’s bowlers’ rest.
“It wasn’t India’s responsibility to give England bowlers rest,” Tendulkar said, defending the duo’s decision.
Tendulkar’s core argument was that India should focus on their goals, regardless of how the opposition perceives it.
Tendulkar’s Full Support for India’s Approach in the Test Series
Tendulkar also praised Washington Sundar’s adaptability throughout the series. He noted that Sundar played with patience when needed and switched to an attacking style when required.“I am absolutely with the Indian team, be it Gambhir, Shubman, Jadeja, or Washington,” Tendulkar said.
This shows Tendulkar’s steadfast support for the Indian team’s decisions, including the refusal of Stokes’ handshake. He reinforced the idea that the team should stay focused on the match, not external pressure.
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