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Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'Why should India be nice to England?' Geoffrey Boycott teaches Ben Stokes a lesson for Manchester Day 5 drama
Former England captain Sir Geoffrey Boycott sided with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, saying the two Indian batters were well within their rights to continue playing and not accept Ben Stokes' request to call the Manchester Test off early. He also slammed the England captain for the drama that unfolded in the final few minutes of the final day of the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. England captain Ben Stokes had a heated exchange with Ravindra Jadeja. (AFP) England gave it their all on the final day, but Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar managed to keep them at bay by forming an unbeaten 203-run stand for the fifth wicket. Midway through the partnership, Stokes went up to the two batters to shake hands and call the contest off. However, Jadeja and Sundar were batting on 89 and 80 at that time and were nearing their centuries. Hence, the duo decided to continue batting and go for the milestone. This rubbed Stokes and England the wrong way as the Three Lions captain brought part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root into the attack. Brook did not even attempt to bowl properly as he dished out one loose delivery after another. Both teams finally walked off when the two batters brought up the three-figure mark. 'What goes around comes around. England were gobby enough when it suited them, so you can't blame India for wanting to stay on and allow two batsmen who had worked their socks off to reach their hundreds,' Boycott wrote in his Telegraph column. Also Read: 'Sundar, Jadeja's efforts will be remembered. Not Harry Brook's 37 kmph ball' 'If you give it, like England do, then you have to be able to take it. I could hear them through the stump mics chipping away at India, so why should they be nice to them and agree to go off when England have had enough," he added. 'India players tough cookies' Boycott also went on to write that Indian players are tough cookies and Ben Stokes' England can no longer dictate terms to them. He even stated that he would also have batted on had he been in the situation of Jadeja and Sundar. 'These India players are tough cookies. They do not take a backward step. There is no way I would have let anyone drag me off on 89 after I had worked hard all day to save the game for my team," he wrote. 'Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar deserved their hundreds. They left the ball well, played with the full face of the bat and defended their wickets at all costs. Well done,' he added. The former England captain also stated that he doesn't understand the mindset of the modern player, where he feels the need to sledge to get into the minds of the opposition camp. 'I'm not sure what it is with modern players. You hear a lot of them mouthing off. It never really happened when I was playing. It will carry on at the Oval and India will go there thinking they got a win at Old Trafford," wrote Boycott. The Anderson-Tendulkar is currently being led by England as they are 2-1 ahead. India will try to level the five-match series when they take the field in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, beginning July 31.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'Did your captain forget you can bowl?' Washington Sundar breaks silence on getting ignored by Shubman Gill for 68 overs
Shubman Gill is a happy man. And why won't he be? The India captain produced yet another scintillating batting display against England in the 4th Test of the series at Manchester and broke a plethora of records in the process with a 9th century, but more importantly, watched two of his all-rounders defy all odds to help India eke out a draw. Centuries from Gill, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja ensured the series stayed alive with India having a golden opportunity to level the Anderson-Tendulkar 2-2 if they can win the final Test at The Oval. Shubman Gill, left, with Washington Sundar(PTI) But while Gill ticked most boxes, the Old Trafford Test will be remembered for a huge missed opportunity from the Indian captain. During England's first innings, when the hosts kept on piling the runs, Gill did not turn to Sundar for the first 68 overs. The move baffled many, including fans and former cricketers, who questioned Gill's decision-making. The debate gained more steam when Sundar was finally brought into the attack 15 minutes before lunch and struck twice in quick succession in the second session, dismissing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. Also Read: I want Shubman Gill to ask Ben Stokes, 'Why did you…?' Sunil Gavaskar annihilates England for saying 'India were scared' What happened and why it happened are unclear. Morne Morkel touched upon it after the end of Day 3, but Sundar's reaction to it is the closest explanation. Despite being needled by the broadcasters to spill the beans, Washington remained coy, although he did let out one small detail. Here is how the conversation panned out. Broadcaster: Did you captain forget that you can bowl in the first innings? Washington Sundar: I'm not giving any headlines this time, followed by laughter from himself, Stuart Broad and Nasser Hussain. Stuart Broad: You need to work on your tips and hints out there. 'I'm loose, I'm ready to go (imitating warming up). Broadcaster: You've got to catch his eye. You got to start looking at him [Shubman Gill] Washington Sundar: Most of the times, I am around the square, so I'm sure I cross him every now and then. But yeah, whatever the team needs. Why Shubman Gill didn't give the ball to Washington Sundar earlier England were off to a brisk start with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, smashing runs at 5.5 runs an over. Even after the partnership was broken, Pope, Joe Root kept on plundering runs, rendering the Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and debutant Anshul Kamboj null and void. Ravindra Jadeja was given a few overs in between, but Gill remained reluctant to bring on Sundar. It was all the more surprising because Sundar, not too long ago, had picked up a five-wicket haul in the previous Test at Lord's. "Shubman just made the call in there to stick a little bit longer with the seam options. I think in the first couple of days we saw the ball moving around and seaming around, and pace on the ball was the way to go, and then when we got the opportunity to bowl, we missed our length. So did we bowl enough good balls to say that we need to go to spin straightaway? I don't think so. And I think when he got the opportunity today with the ball in hand, Washi did a great job for us," India's bowling coach Morkel said.
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘That was Ben Stokes behaving like a spoiled kid': Sanjay Manjrekar on last hour drama in Manchester Test
With the Shubman Gill-led Indian team eking out a draw against hosts England on the final day of the Manchester Test, as Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar hit centuries, the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar series saw plenty of drama. With one hour remaining, England skipper Ben Stokes approached Jadeja and Sundar, offering a handshake to signify a draw. However, the two Indian batsmen refused, forcing the match into the mandatory last 15 overs. This led to a verbal spat between Stokes and his teammates targeting Jadeja and Sundar, but both Indian batsmen would complete their centuries before agreeing to the draw five overs later. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar termed England captain Ben Stokes a 'spoiled kid' over the incident, believing the England captain could have 'handled things better.' 'Okay fine, he's unhappy that the players haven't walked off, he'll have to manage his overs carefully with the main bowlers already exhausted from bowling long spells the whole day. But throwing lollipops in the air and showing a bit of grumpiness out there, that was Ben Stokes behaving like a spoiled kid. I can understand him being surprised that India wanted to continue… but everything won't go as per your wishes, he should've handled that better. It was Ben, the hero, the champion that I admire, on that occasion behaving like a spoiled kid,' Manjrekar said during the post-match show on JioHotstar. Jadeja and Sundar stitched together an unbeaten 203-run partnership for the fifth wicket, keeping India's hopes alive in the series, with England leading 2-1 with one Test remaining. It was Jadeja's fifth Test hundred, while Sundar scored his maiden Test century with a knock of 101 runs on Sunday. Former England cricketer Jonathan Trott believes that if England were in the same situation as the Indian batsmen, they would have walked off after being offered the draw at the start of the last hour. 'Common practice in England, and Ben Stokes' mentality is that there are no personal milestones. If you're offered to end the game earlier, it's taken. In his (Stokes') mind, the game's done. I don't think England would have had personal milestones on their mind—that's just my view. Maybe if somebody was close to a maiden century, it would have been a bit different. You could tell by Ben Stokes' reaction that if they were in the same position, they probably would've shaken the Indian captain's hand if offered—if Shubman Gill had approached the English batsmen in the same scenario, they would've walked off. That's what Test cricket's about. It's played hard, it's played fair, but there's also a code and an ethos that the game is played with equal respect for each other,' Trott told JioHotstar. Stokes defended his offer, stating it was a decision made to protect his frontline bowlers. 'We were willing to take it as far as we possibly could and throw everything at them, but it got to that point where there was only one result left on the table. I wasn't going to risk any of my frontline bowlers in a situation like that, especially with a quick turnaround,' Stokes told the BBC.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Grit and spice in India's draw for the ages
MUMBAI: It is for a reason that countries go out of their way to host the India Test team. They are box office. The defiance of Sydney 2021, the daring of Brisbane 2021 had viewership shoot through the roof. The modern India players have excellent skills to shine in all conditions, but it is their never-say-die spirit which makes them the team to watch in world cricket. India's Ravindra Jadeja (2nd R) and India's Washington Sundar (R) after drawing the match on day five of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, in Manchester. (AFP) Manchester's Old Trafford became the scene of their latest heroic act with backs to the wall against a dominant England. Giving another example of their combativeness, Shubman Gill's team served a Super Sunday treat of grit for the cricket fans on the final day of the fourth Test. In a gripping finish to a thrilling series where all four Tests have gone to the wire, inspired by their captain's epic century, the left-handed pair of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja played out of their skins to secure a memorable draw with an unfinished fifth-wicket stand of 203 runs, both signing off with centuries. It keeps the Anderson-Tendulkar series alive going into the fifth Test at The Oval with England leading 2-1. This result will be all the more satisfying for India because, as against Australia in 2021, they were hit by a series of injuries. They came back to draw after conceding a lead of 311 runs by scoring 425/4. KL Rahul laid the platform with a defiant 90, but fell early on Day 5. The rest of the batters, however, refused to throw in the towel under extreme pressure and on a pitch showing some signs of variable bounce. Gill held fort before falling at the stroke of lunch for a superb 103, and Jadeja joined forces with Sundar to take the fight to the opposition. The duo ensured there was no further damage till the end, especially with Rishabh Pant injured. They trusted their defence, showed composure and showed the stomach for a fight. In the end, the roles had been reversed. At 386/4, having made to field for 138 overs, England captain Ben Stokes wanted to call off the game. But with both Jadeja and Sundar in sight of their hundreds, India declined the offer. Unaffected by some farcical bowling from an upset home team, Jadeja (107*, 13x4, 1x6) duly reached three figures off 181 balls. Sundar (101*, 9x4, 1x6) completed his maiden hundred off 206 balls. Stokes can dwarf any counterpart with his intimidating body language and all-round feats, but in Gill he has met his match. The Indian skipper, handed the reins at 25, likes to go about his job in a quiet manner. After Sunday's hundred, it will never be mistaken for meekness. The fourth innings effort was the coming of age of the Punjab batter. The most fascinating period of play was the captain versus captain contest. A fired-up Stokes got Rahul early with an unplayable ball which kept low, but Gill produced a classic to carve out a hundred to remember. Carrying a shoulder niggle, the England all-rounder had held himself back on the fourth evening. With his bowlers struggling, Stokes brought himself on straightaway in the morning. During an incisive eight-over burst, he tested Gill's courage and technique to the full. He almost had Gill caught at short cover on 81, at the total of 181/2, but a leaping Olli Pope at short cover couldn't hold on to the chance. Stokes then stung Gill's thumb with a fierce lifter. Angling in from the good length, the ball kicked off to hit the top of the thumb and the side of the helmet, the impact nearly sending him toppling into his stumps. Grimacing in pain, the physio was out. But Gill's resolve was not going to be affected. The next ball was met with a full stride to send a message to the opposition and his dressing room that this challenge can be met. Having resumed the day on 77, he braved the blows to reach a classy hundred. When he fell before lunch, Gill walked off to a standing ovation from both sets of fans. The English crowd had been harsh on him after the Lord's episode with the home openers, but stood as one to salute a tough young warrior. Gill has defied all odds to take the game to the home team in each Test. He emulated Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar by scoring four hundreds in a series as captain. He suffered a lapse in concentration to be dismissed, but nothing inspires the team more than watching the leader set an example. No doubt Washington, promoted to No.5 in Pant's place, and Jadeja played the way they played. England tried everything – the fielders circled around the bat for spinners, movement from full balls, short ball tactics. Jadeja and Sundar were equal to it. The left-handers played out the final two sessions without any further damage to complete a sensational draw.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Shubman is a new captain, will learn a great deal during England series: Kapil Dev
New Delhi: Former Indian skipper and legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has spoken on Shubman Gill's captaincy during India vs England Anderson-Tendulkar Test series and the new captain he will learn a lot. This is Gill's first assignment as Test captain of India. The team is trailing 2-1 in the series. 'It is a new team, and they are getting a chance. In the coming times, these people will win. Whenever a new team is formed in the world, it takes time to adjust. He is a new captain and will learn a great deal. This series will be a learning step,' Kapil Dev told the media. India are struggling in the Fourth Test. Gill has performed strongly with the bat. He has slammed 671 runs in four matches at an average of 95.85 and a strike rate of 71.00. He has smashed three hundreds and a fifty with a best score of 269. He is the leading run scorer in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar test series so recovered after initial shocks in their second innings of the Fourth Test but the team is still in deep waters with England scoring a massive 669 in their first innings and getting an overall lead of 311 over the visitors. (ANI)
