Sachin Tendulkar has thrown his support behind Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar following the much-debated handshake controversy during the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Manchester.
The incident occurred when India, under pressure to save the match, declined Ben Stokes’ offer to end the game in a draw. With Jadeja and Washington batting confidently, India chose to play on rather than agree to the customary handshake, which usually signals mutual acceptance of a draw. The move sparked a massive social media debate, with fans and experts divided over whether India upheld the “spirit of cricket.”
India eventually went on to level the five-match series 2-2 with a dramatic six-run win in the final Test at The Oval, but the controversy from the Manchester Test remained a hot topic.
Breaking his silence, Tendulkar defended the Indian players and dismissed the criticism. Speaking in a video posted on Reddit, he 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.”
Tendulkar also called out the criticism of India not accepting the draw offer: “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.”
Showing firm support for the team’s decision-makers, he added: “I am absolutely with the Indian team, be it Gambhir or Shubman or Jadeja or Washington, who decided. I’m 100 percent with them.”
Tendulkar wrapped up his thoughts by applauding the team’s overall attitude and individual contributions: “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.”
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