Sachin Tendulkar has weighed in on the "handshake controversy" that occurred during the fourth Test between India and England in Manchester, offering a robust defense of the Indian team's conduct. The incident, which involved Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declining Ben Stokes' offer to shake hands and settle for a draw, sparked considerable debate within the cricket community.

Tendulkar didn't hold back in his assessment, asserting that India was well within its rights to refuse the handshake. He emphasized that it was Stokes' prerogative to offer a draw, but India was not obligated to accept it. According to Tendulkar, the decision to continue batting was justified, as Jadeja and Sundar were playing for a draw and had battled hard when England's bowlers were attacking aggressively. He dismissed any notion that the Indian pair was merely chasing personal milestones, pointing out that their priority was to secure a draw for the team.

Tendulkar questioned the logic behind the criticism, asking why India should prioritize resting England's bowlers and fielders, especially with the series still alive. He highlighted that if England wanted to give Harry Brook the ball, that was Stokes' choice, but it wasn't India's responsibility to accommodate England's plans.

The incident occurred in the closing stages of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. With India batting for a draw, Stokes approached Jadeja and Sundar to suggest a handshake and conclude the match. However, with both players approaching their centuries, they declined the offer, leading to heated online debates about sportsmanship. After both Indians reached their milestones and a draw was settled, Stokes reportedly refrained from joining the post-match handshake, leading to a frosty exchange.

Tendulkar's strong words have added weight to the Indian camp's stance, effectively silencing critics who questioned the sportsmanship behind declining the handshake. He stated he is "100 percent" behind the Indian team, be it Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill, Jadeja or Washington. He lauded Sundar’s adaptability, noting his ability to occupy the crease when required in the fourth Test and accelerate in the last Test.

The five-match series between India and England lived up to expectations, with the series ending in a 2-2 draw. Tendulkar's comments have further fueled the debate, but his backing of the Indian team's decision is resolute.