Latest news with #Gavaskar
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First Post
8 minutes ago
- Sport
- First Post
'That was just bravado. Just loud talk': Sunil Gavaskar slams Ben Stokes over drama in Manchester Test
Sunil Gavaskar praised India's grit in the fourth Test against England and criticised Ben Stokes for offering a draw while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were chasing centuries. Gavaskar also questioned England's declaration strategy. read more Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has lauded the Indian team for their spirited performance in the ongoing Test series against England. Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Gavaskar said he was 'enormously proud' of how the team batted under pressure during the third innings of the fourth Test in Manchester, which India eventually saved by batting throughout the final day. 'I'm enormously proud of this team for what they've done. Just four wickets down. Yes, whatever the pitch might have been — good pitch, flat pitch, whatever it is — to stick around there under pressure,' Gavaskar said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read: India head coach Gautam Gambhir involved in heated altercation with The Oval's chief curator; watch video Gavaskar slams Ben Stokes & Co. Gavaskar also slammed England skipper Ben Stokes and his team for throwing tantrums after India denied his request for a draw at the start of the final session on Day 5. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were batting in the middle, refused to shake Stokes' hands when he offered a draw. They told him the decision was upto their captain Shubman Gill. Gill, who was sitting in the dressing room, didn't move a muscle when the incident was playing out in the middle. Gavaskar slammed Stokes for trying to end the game when Jadeja and Sundar were nearing centuries. He also questioned England's decision-making when it came to declaring their first innings, where Stokes himself scored a century and took time to get to his 150. 'And the question can be asked, Did England bat too long before they declared, because, you know when, when India gave England 600 runs to chase, 600 plus rush to chase at Birmingham, some of the England players, when they came out for the press conference later on, they said, but they were scared, and that's why they gave us more than 600 when I remember reading somewhere earlier on that you know, one England players that said, while they were in India, give us 600 plus. Give us anything, we'll chase. That's what India looked at. Give you 600 runs. But you ended up 336 run short. So that was just bravado. Just loud talk.' Gavaskar added. Also Read: Washington Sundar's father accuses BCCI selectors, India team management of bias: 'Other players get regular chances' India are currently trailing 2-1 in the five-match series and have just one game left to level it. They missed the chance to win their first Test series in England in 18 years by drawing the fourth Test. Now, the best possible outcome for India is to draw the series.
Mint
an hour ago
- Sport
- Mint
Sunil Gavaskar rips into Ben Stokes & Co. over Manchester Test theatrics: ‘Why did you not declare?'
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has questioned England's tactics in the fourth Test at Manchester, wondering why the hosts did not declare their innings sooner in order to force a result and instead waited to be bowled out. Going into the third innings, England had a lead of 311 runs, and while their pacers had a dream start by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan without a run on the board, they could not secure a win for their side. The match ended in a draw after solid partnerships first between skipper Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, and then between Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja ensured there was only one possible outcome. In the final hour of play, England captain Ben Stokes offered Jadeja and Sundar the chance to end the match with a draw, but the two batters were not in the mood to accept the offer, as both were close to reaching their respective centuries. After the offer was turned down, English players began sharing a piece of their mind with the Indian batters. Zak Crawley remarked that if they wanted to score a hundred, they should bat faster, while another fielder sarcastically asked how long it would take to get there. Lauding the effort put in by the young Indian team to draw the Test match, Gavaskar said (on Sony Sports), "I'm proud. I'm enormously proud of this, this team, for what they've done. I mean, just four wickets, yes, whatever the pitch might have been, whether it is good pitch, flat pitch, whatever it is to stick around there under pressure. " The former India captain went on to raise questions about England's tactics and wondered why England didn't declare earlier in the match if they wanted a result. Gavaskar also compared the situation to the one in Edgbaston where team India gave England a target of 608 runs to chase in the fourth innings of the match that wasn't particularly well received by the English players. 'And the question can be asked, Did England bat too long before they declared, because, you know when, when India gave England 600 runs to chase, 600 plus rush to chase at Birmingham, some of the England players, when they came out for the press conference later on, they said, but they were scared, and that's why they gave us more than 600 when I remember reading somewhere earlier on that you know, one England players that said, while they were in India, give us 600 plus. Give us anything we'll chase. That's what in India looked at. Give you 600 runs. But you ended up 336 run short. So that was just Bravado, just a little bit of loud talk.' Gavaskar added
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: 'Why not declare after Ben Stokes' hundred?' - Sunil Gavaskar slams England's 'loud talk'
Sunil Gavaskar, Shubman Gill and Ben Stokes (Images via Getty Images) India's gritty draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford sparked a heated exchange between the two teams and now, Sunil Gavaskar has added fuel to the fire with a scathing assessment of England's tactics and attitude. The veteran India batter and commentator praised India's resilience after they were reduced to 0/2 in the second innings, eventually finishing the final day with just four wickets lost thanks to centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "I'm enormously proud of this team for what they've done. Just four wickets down. Yes, whatever the pitch might have been — good pitch, flat pitch, whatever it is — to stick around there under pressure,' Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network. The Indian batters' decision to bat on even after the result was clear evidently irked England. Skipper Ben Stokes handed the ball to Harry Brook, who was hit for a six by Jadeja as he celebrated his hundred. When Brook offered a handshake to Sundar soon after, the batter appeared to ignore it. Ben Stokes press conference: On handshake controversy, India fightback, his own fitness England players were seen taunting the Indian duo, reportedly questioning whether Jadeja wanted to get to his hundred against Brook and Duckett. Gavaskar, however, turned the tables. He questioned England's own tactics, especially their delayed declaration. 'The question can be asked — did England bat too long before they declared?' Gavaskar said. 'When India gave them 600-plus to chase in Birmingham, some England players said they were scared. But in India, they said 'Give us 600, we'll chase.' So what happened now? India gave you 600, and you fell 336 short. That was just bravado. Just loud talk.' He also took a dig at Stokes' post-match defence that he was resting his bowlers ahead of the final Test at The Oval. Poll Do you think England's tactics were questionable during the fourth Test at Old Trafford? Yes, they were poorly planned. No, they had a solid strategy. 'So now, Shubman Gill — if he's at the media conference — I'd like him to ask: Why did you take a lead of 311? Why not declare at 240 or 250 after Stokes got his hundred? Give your bowlers an extra hour to take wickets. I hope he asks that,' Gavaskar said. 'I know he won't. He's too nice a guy. He's not like this SG (Sunil Gavaskar). That SG (Shubman Gill) is different. But this SG 100% would have asked at a media conference. And I'm asking now. ' Gavaskar's fiery words only add to the charged atmosphere between the two sides and the pointed challenge to England's approach ahead of the series decider. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
India.com
6 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Why Did You Wait, Ben Stokes? – Sunil Gavaskar Slams Englands 311-Run Lead As India Pulls Off Epic Draw
In a Test match packed with twists, tension, and tactical turns, India pulled off a memorable draw in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, keeping the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy alive. While the scoreboard shows a stalemate, the emotional and psychological victory clearly belonged to India. Heroic batting from KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar saw India survive over five sessions, losing just four wickets on a deteriorating pitch, showcasing immense grit and game awareness. But beyond the scoreboard and statistics, the draw sparked a fresh controversy. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar launched a fiery critique of England's tactics — in particular, Ben Stokes' decision to bat India out of the game with an enormous first-innings lead of 311 runs, instead of declaring earlier to chase a win. 'Why Did You Take a Lead of 311?': Gavaskar Calls Out England's Double Standards Sunil Gavaskar, known for his sharp analysis and fearless commentary, did not mince words as he questioned the logic behind England's prolonged batting. While England had both momentum and time on their side, they chose to bat India into submission. Centuries from Ben Stokes and Joe Root powered England to 669, a mammoth total that many feel came at the cost of potential victory. Reflecting on the hosts' decision, Gavaskar pointed to their previous comments about India's declaration tactics in Birmingham. 'Some England players said India were scared when they set a 600-run target. But this time, England did the same — and still couldn't win,' Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network. 'That's not bravery. That's bravado and loud talk.' India's Second Innings: Defiance, Discipline, and a Statement Facing a 311-run deficit, India's batters knew their backs were against the wall. But rather than collapse under pressure, they responded with poise and patience. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill blunted England's attack early on, setting the tone for a resilient batting performance. The final-day masterclass came from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both inching towards memorable centuries before the match was declared a draw. Their performance was not just about batting time; it was a clear message — that India, even when cornered, will fight back. For Gavaskar, this spirit was worth celebrating: 'Only four wickets lost in more than five sessions — no matter the pitch — that's extraordinary temperament under pressure.' Gavaskar's Challenge to Shubman Gill: Speak Up, Ask the Tough Questions Perhaps the most headline-grabbing part of Gavaskar's commentary was his challenge to young India captain Shubman Gill. Speaking candidly, the legendary opener said he would've liked Gill to confront Stokes at the post-match press conference. 'Shubman should've asked, 'Why did you take a lead of 311? Why not declare after 240 or 250?'' Gavaskar said. 'After scoring his hundred, why didn't Ben Stokes give his bowlers more time? I know Gill is a nice guy. But someone has to ask.' While Gill didn't attend the press conference, Gavaskar's sentiment struck a chord with many fans who believe England's decision-making lacked the aggressive clarity they so often preach under their 'Bazball' philosophy. England's Strategy Backfires: From Dominance to Disappointment England may have had the upper hand for most of the match, but their tactical conservatism ultimately denied them a golden chance to clinch the series. By choosing to pile on the runs instead of pressing for a result, they allowed India an opening — and India took it with both hands. The result sets up a mouthwatering series finale at The Oval, with India aiming to level the series 2-2. With tempers flaring and narratives shifting, all eyes will be on how both teams respond — especially Shubman Gill and Ben Stokes.
News18
8 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Sunil Gavaskar Takes Dig At Grumpy England For Manchester Farce: 'Those Days Are Gone'
Last Updated: England have been criticised for their shenanigans towards the end of the 4th Test after India refused the offer to end the Test prematurely. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has called out England for their 'grumpiness' after India turned down their offer to end the fifth day of the 4th Test play prematurely with the game heading towards a draw. Gavaskar reminded England that they cannot expect things to go their way all the time and complaint when they don't. 'Everything cannot be done according to what the England team wants. This is yet another example of that old syndrome: when we do it, it's right; when the opposition does the same, it's wrong. Those days are long gone, and no one, least of all the Indian team, is going to simply accept it," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar. Why Was Stokes Unhappy? India batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused to end the game early and batted on to complete their centuries. England captain Ben Stokes was annoyed that the pair should have accepted their offer since they had already done the job of saving the Test. Gavaskar says if England didn't want Jadeja and Sundar to score centuries, they should have deployed 'proper bowlers' and not turn to part-timers to vent their frustrations. 'Towards the end of the Test, a few grumpy English players were unhappy that the batters at the crease…declined the offer to end the day's play…," Gavaskar wrote. 'The England players felt that, since there was no chance of a result, the Indians should have accepted the offer to conclude proceedings. They seemed to forget that two teams are playing out there, and if one decides to continue, the other simply has to accept it. 'What they overlooked was the hard work and resilience the batters had shown against frontline bowlers for over four hours to reach the 80s. England should have denied them with proper bowlers rather than whining about them getting there against Harry Brook. A Test century isn't easy and doesn't come every match, so the batters were fully entitled to bat on and reach their personal landmarks," he added. England's Shenanigans Gavaskar said if he were the India captain in Manchester, he would've asked his batters to continue batting till the end of the day's play in response to England's shenanigans. 'If I were the captain, I'd have told them to keep batting and play out the remaining overs, tiring out the fielders even more – especially after the shenanigans by the English players once their offer was declined," he wrote. 'The natural light was deteriorating, and the floodlights were on. Had Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse been given the ball, the umpires might have intervened and stopped play – so perhaps England missed a trick there," he added. view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 09:31 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
