Our Bureau
London
Indian cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar, a name on whom this epic series is named after, was recently reviewing the 5-match series. While the series has numerous talking points, controversies and some seriously amazing performances by both teams, Tendulkar in a clip was seen talking about the whole ‘Handshake’ controversy at the end of the 4th Test.
After the fourth match ended there were huge discussions surrounding the incident on whether the two Indian all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar played for their personal milestones or not. Many labelled it as an incident which hampered the ‘Spirit of the Game’ when both batters denied English skipper Ben Stokes a handshake for the draw.
In a video posted on Reddit where Tendulkar is reviewing the series he cleared that the two batters battled England with all their might so why would they shake hands and give English bowlers some extra rest for the fifth test. He also stated that it was Stokes’ decision to give Harry Brook the ball so he can’t question the credibility of their centuries.
The veteran player said, “Washington scored a hundred, and Jadeja scored a hundred. Why is it not in the right spirit? They were playing for a draw. Before that, they battled it out when England were having a go at them, and negotiated it all to bat brilliantly. The series was alive, so why should they go ahead (and shake hands) and give rest to England’s bowlers and fielders?”
“If England wanted to hand the ball to Harry Brook, it was Ben Stokes’ choice. It wasn’t India’s problem. To me, it was fine. They were playing for a draw, not their hundreds. If they had gotten out when they came to bat, we could’ve lost. When they came out to bat, Harry Brook wasn’t bowling, was he? So, why should England’s bowlers be fresh for the 5th Test? Do you have an answer for that? No!” said Tendulkar.
