ENG vs IND: “The Goal Was a Draw” – Steyn defends Stokes amid ‘Handshake’ controversy

 

Stokes_Jadeja
Stokes_Jadeja (PC: X)

Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has offered a different take on the dramatic final hour of the Manchester Test between India and England. While many have supported Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar’s decision to chase their personal milestones, Steyn came to the defence of England skipper Ben Stokes and raised questions about India’s decision-making.

India had fallen to 0/2 in their second innings after Chris Woakes struck twice in the very first over. England looked set for a remarkable comeback win when they removed KL Rahul and Shubman Gill early on Day 5. However, Jadeja and Sundar held firm, building an unbeaten 203-run partnership to save the match and keep the series alive.

“The Goal Was to Draw the Game” – Dale Steyn

During the final hour, with a draw the only realistic outcome, Stokes offered to end the game early. But with Jadeja in the 90s and Sundar in the 80s, both batters declined the offer in hopes of reaching personal milestones. Part-timer Harry Brook was brought in, and the Indians wrapped up their innings within the next 15 minutes.

The refusal sparked a debate online. South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi posted on X, saying: “Why is there such a big deal being made about the Indians choosing not to accept the offer to end the game in a draw immediately? The offer was made. The offer was rejected, and they were fully entitled to make their choice. They got their 100s, which they worked hard for. Game over.”

Steyn replied on the same thread, offering a different perspective. He stated that the primary aim was to secure a draw, not to chase individual scores: “Shamo this onion has many layers to it, and each one will make someone cry. The only issue I see here is the one thing people aren’t realizing, the batters weren’t playing for 100s, they were batting for a DRAW. That was the goal. Draw the game. Once that was accomplished, and a result was out of the question a handshake was offered, that’s the gentlemanly thing to do right? It’s not then the time to realize they safe and now say no we’d prefer some free milestones… although within the rules, just seems a little, well, odd. That said, they did bat well, and maybe with the last hour approaching they should have been more aggressive in reaching those milestones, at least then, we could all agree, no team tried to out do the other in this weird situation.”

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