'When Jadeja-Washington came to bat, Harry Brook wasn't bowling': Sachin Tendulkar passes his verdict on handshake row

Sachin Tendulkar passes his verdict on handshake row (AFP Photo)

Fans had many memorable moments from the exciting five-match Test series between India and England, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Even though the series was among the best in recent memory due to the high caliber of cricket and the intensity between the two teams on the field, nothing was as strange and contentious as the fourth Test's final-day standoff. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja not only helped India save the match and series but also sparked a controversy after England captain Ben Stokes walked to the duo for a handshake and end the match but the request was denied.

Both players were in their 80s and India had recovered from a huge 311-run deficit, they refused to accept a draw before earning their well-earned hundreds. Many were upset by the awkwardly positioned umpires as Jadeja and Sundar pressed forward, and some even sparked arguments about whether the Indian duo behaved in the proper "spirit". Stokes was also criticized by many for forcing a draw after the two had put forth a lot of effort to fight for it.

Also Read | 'Jasprit Bumrah is wanted in every format, that should be Prasidh Krishna's benchmark'

Sachin Tendulkar has finally spoken on the controversy. Tendulkar was blunt in his criticism of Stokes approach towards the duo, saying that Sundar and Jadeja weren't obliged to keep the England bowlers rested for the fifth Test.

“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,” began Tendulkar 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 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.

Also Read | BCCI needs to set a guideline for Jasprit Bumrah — either full series or none

Tendulkar went on to say that both players understood their roles, giving the example of how Sundar used his attacking skills when needed in the last Test at the Oval.

“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 Tendulkar.