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The legendary Sachin Tendulkar did not hold mince words as he criticised England captain Ben Stokes for the 'handshake controversy' during the fourth Test against India in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
The series ended in 2-2 and both the teams acknowledged each other’s performances and valour on the field. However, the series was not without its pinch of controversies and debate-stirring moments. One of the most talked-about incidents came at the end of the fourth Test in Manchester, when Ravindra Jadeja declined Stokes’ offer to settle for a draw, a decision that continues to spark discussion among players, pundits and fans.
India’s cricketing icon, Tendulkar has backed Jadeja and Washington Sundar for standing firm on the crease despite Stokes’ tantrums. Tendulkar praised the duo for their grit against the English attack, saying that both had battled hard and fully deserved to reach their respective hundreds.
"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," Tendulkar said as he reviewed the series in a video posted on Reddit.
"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 the ‘Master Blaster’.
Tendulkar in awe of Sundar
Tendulkar also showered praise on Sundar for his ability to adapt to different situations, noting that he played a holding role with the bat in the fourth Test and also played aggressively in the fifth Test.
"I am absolutely with the Indian team, be it Gambhir or Shubman or Jadeja or Washington, who decided. I'm 100 percent with them. In the last Test match, when it was time to accelerate, Sundar did that brilliantly, didn't he? Where it was needed to occupy the crease, he did that in the fourth Test. And when it was needed to press the accelerator hard, he did that in the fifth. So, well done," said the 52-year-old.
Sundar scored a quick-fire 53 off 46 balls, playing a decisive role in India’s narrow six-run victory in the Oval Test. Notably, this is also India’s narrowest win ever in terms of runs.
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