&w=3840&q=100)
'I was not going to risk any..': Ben Stokes reveals reasoning behind early handshake offer to Jadeja and Sundar
England captain Ben Stokes offered an early draw to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar but the batsmen did accept his request. (Screengrab from Sony Liv)
A Test match between India and England where drama doesn't unfold is unimaginable. While the Manchester Test did not contribute much to the drama quotient as compared to its predecessors in the series, a controversial episode still sparked right at the end on Day 5. With 15 overs left in the game, England captain Ben Stokes gave up on a potential victory and offered an early handshake to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were both batting in their 80s at that time. Considering they were close to getting to the triple figure mark, the batters did not comply with Stokes' request and kept playing.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
However, Jadeja and Sundar did England and Stokes a favour by quickly attaining the remaining runs. As a result, Sundar taking a single off Harry Brook to complete his maiden Test ton was the final action of the day. Stokes' eagerness to end the match when the Indian batters were close to achieving their milestone did not sit well with Indian cricket fans, and hence, many did not refrain from criticising the England skipper on social media.
The entire drama of Ben Stokes himself asking for a draw out of frustration.
All that crying when he himself could have declared early yesterday than he did.#ENGvsIND
pic.twitter.com/TypyVrRHJW — Prateek (@prateek_295) July 27, 2025
Ben Stokes comes out clean about the handshake incident
Following the culmination of the match, Ben Stokes addressed the episode and stated that he did not want to risk an injury to his bowlers as a draw was inevitable at that moment.
'As soon as they got to a point where the draw was inevitable - I was not going to risk any of our bowlers, Just wanted to get through the period without risking proper bowling options.'
Gill on Stokes offering a draw in the final session
India captain Shubman Gill also made his thoughts known on the handshake incident. According to Gill, Jadeja and Sundar batted brilliantly in the final two sessions of the match and hence deserved a century.
'We thought they (Jadeja and Sundar) batted brilliantly, they were in their 90s, we thought they deserved a century there (about the decision to not shake hands).
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pitch perfect: Himachal player's nat'l cricket dreams take flight
Amritsar: Amit Thakur, 32, a resident of the remote village of Makdoga in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, has been selected to represent India-B in the National Triangular Wheelchair Cricket Series. The event is to be held from August 7 to 9, 2025, at the Amma Cricket Ground in Melmaruvathur, Chennai. What makes Amit's selection particularly remarkable is that he is the only player from HP in the tournament and plays with 85% physical disability. Amit's story is one of courage and hope in the face of monumental odds. In 2018, he visited a private university where he happened to see a wheelchair cricket match. The episode gave a new direction to his life. Despite being confined to a wheelchair since childhood, he loved cricket—but he thought that the pitch was lost to him forever. "Seeing players on the field reignited that childhood dream in me. Inspired and motivated, I returned to HP with a mission to form a wheelchair cricket team in a state where no such initiative existed," he said. He began reaching out to players from various cities of HP, including Una, Kangra, Chamba, Nalagarh, and others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo His efforts culminated with Himachal's first wheelchair cricket match held in Chandigarh in 2018. Since then, he has consistently conducted training camps at Anu Ground, Hamirpur, mentoring and encouraging new players. In the wake of his efforts, the Himachal Pradesh Wheelchair Cricket Team has emerged as a competitive unit in national-level tournaments, with Amit leading the team as captain in two national events. Besides cricket, he likes bowling, and his skills with the ball have earned him a spot in the prestigious India-B squad. A govt primary teacher in Chauri educational block, Amit cherishes the unconditional support offered by his parents, younger brother, and sister. For all his achievements, he is not about to rest on his laurels. His aim is to bring the HP Wheelchair Cricket Association under the official jurisdiction of the HP Cricket Association, seeking better recognition and infrastructure for future players. He is also determined to establish the state's first women's wheelchair cricket team, aiming to create equal opportunities for disabled women in sports. About the ensuing event, he said that it was being organised by the Tamil Nadu Wheelchair Cricket Association. The series will feature three elite teams—India-A, India-B, and India-C. MSID:: 123061148 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
No player should miss out on tournaments due to lack of funds, says CM
1 2 Nagpur: Maharashtra is set to establish advanced sports training centres with global-standard facilities, international coaches, and certified nutritionists, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Saturday. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, Fadnavis said the state is committed to building a robust sports ecosystem where every deserving player gets full support. He also added that no athlete should miss out on tournaments due to financial or logistical constraints. Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said Divya's triumph brought him threefold happiness: as an Indian witnessing the end of Chinese dominance in chess, as a Maharashtrian proud of the state's talent, and as a Nagpurkar celebrating a hometown hero. "She made us proud at the global level," said Fadnavis. "At just 19, she's achieved what many can only dream of," he added. Fadnavis emphasised that Divya's journey — from Under-9 champion at the age of 7 to defeating elite global players — is a source of inspiration for thousands of young chess aspirants. Highlighting the focus, discipline, and sharpness required for chess in an age dominated by mobile distractions, he stressed that Maharashtra would continue to give sports the priority it deserves. "This felicitation is not just to honour her but to inspire others. We are building a system where no talented sportsperson is deprived of chances due to a lack of funds or facilities," he said. Fadnavis elaborated on several initiatives launched by the state to uplift sports. "Until recently, there was no provision to fund players. Now we've changed that. We offer cash prizes and direct support to help athletes with travel, training, and equipment," he said. Fadnavis also revealed that the state govt has already transferred Rs3 crore into Divya's account as a reward. On a lighter note, cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal commented on Nagpur's intellectual strength, saying, "People from Nagpur seem to be especially brilliant at chess." Jokingly, he added, "I also play chess, but in politics. Knocking out pawns and checkmating opponents is a skill we learn here, too." MLC Parinay Fuke, president of the Maharashtra Chess Association, also praised Divya's achievement, calling it a landmark moment for both Nagpur and India. "After Vishy Anand, she is the first Indian woman to bring such glory to India. The finals were tough, with three tie-breakers, but her aggressive play helped her clinch the win," he said. He recalled her early days, citing her first coach, the late Rahul Joshi, and current coach Abhimanyu Puranik. Fuke also revealed that when they approached the CM for funding the Chess Grand Prix in 2023, he immediately approved Rs2 crore. "Divya, who had lost to Koneru Humpy in the semi-final then, went on to defeat Humpy in this year's finale," he said. With the next Chess World Cup (Open) set to take place in India, Fuke said that Maharashtra deserves to host the event and take its rightful place on the world chess map. Fadnavis replied that if the Maharashtra Chess Association manages to bag the hosting rights, the state govt will ensure that it is organised at a grand level. Newly appointed sports minister Manikrao Kokate, in his first public address, called chess a mix of discipline, concentration, and mental strength. Kokate announced that funds would be specially allocated for advanced training of girl athletes. "If girls are given the right opportunity and support, they can conquer the world. I will do everything in my capacity to make Maharashtra the top state in sports," Kokate said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
'He told me to...': Yashasvi Jaiswal reveals the six-word advice Rohit Sharma shared with him at The Oval
Courtesy of a blazing century on Day 3, Yashasvi Jaiswal has set the tone for India's win at The Oval. The opener smashed his 6th Test ton and second of the century. read more Rohit Sharma was in attendance at The Oval when Yashasvi Jaiswal was batting on Day 3. Screengrab: Sonyliv/AFP Team India emerged as the more dominant side on Day 3 of the Oval Test, and opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal was the bearer of the ascendancy that has set the tone for India's victory on Day 4. After going unbeaten at 51 on Day 2, Jaiswal continued the blitz on the and completed a scintillating ton to render a certain edge to India. He wrapped the series in the same way with which he began- with a century- and registered his 6th Test hundred and second of the series. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Jaiswal reveals Rohit's advice When Jaiswal was in the middle, the camera panned to one of the greatest stalwarts of Indian cricket's history, Rohit Sharma. The former India Test captain was in attendance at the Oval and even left an encouraging message for Jaiswal, which he revealed in the press conference that followed the close of the day's play. 'He told me to hang in there and bat long,' said the southpaw. Though Jaiswal could not take his innings beyond the 118-run mark, Team India thoroughly needed runs from his bat, and his knock could prove to be the difference between the two teams in the end. The series makes Jaiswal more mature The series turned out to be topsy-turvy for the Indian batter; he was a hit on occasions and was a complete miss at times. However, Jaiswal's career trajectory is only moving upwards, putting out the impression that the 23-year-old would have surely gained a lot of takeaways in the last 40 or so days. Talking more about his learnings he got from the series, Jaiswal said: 'It's all about how I fight. Always, the mentality is to go out there and fight it out and enjoy.' Because in the end, (and) as I tell myself that it's the game and we need to enjoy the game. That is very important. With that, we should have fun." 'I am proud of myself and all my teammates. We want fun. We want some battle in the middle. That is the fun. That's why you play Test cricket,' he said.
