Following the drawn fourth Test between India and England, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir engaged in a heated exchange with an English reporter regarding a perceived lack of handshakes after the match. The series is currently poised at 2-1 in favor of England.
The controversy arose after the match concluded with Indian batsmen Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, both having recently achieved centuries. According to reports, England captain Ben Stokes offered a draw, which was initially declined by the Indian duo, who were focused on reaching their individual milestones. Stokes' subsequent actions, including appearing to give Brook the ball to bowl full tosses, and the alleged snubbing of handshakes, drew criticism.
During the post-match press conference, an English reporter questioned Gambhir about the handshake incident. Gambhir responded sharply, questioning whether England would have forfeited the opportunity for their players to reach centuries if they were in a similar situation. He further challenged the reporter, asking if England would have "walked off" the field if an English batter was nearing a century.
Gambhir's strong defense of his players reflects the intense competitive spirit of the series and the importance of individual milestones within the team context. He asserted that both Gill and Jadeja deserved their centuries, having "weathered the storm" to get there. He implied that England's apparent frustration was misplaced, as the Indian batsmen were simply capitalizing on the opportunity to achieve personal bests.
The incident has sparked debate among cricket analysts and fans. Some observers, like former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, have criticized Stokes' behavior, labeling it as that of a "spoiled kid". Others, such as Jonathan Trott, defended Stokes, suggesting that offering a draw in such situations is common practice in English cricket. However, Manjrekar countered that "the whole world doesn't play as per [the] English way of cricket".
Former England captain Nasser Hussain offered a more balanced perspective, stating that England "seemed to have a problem with it," suggesting they were tired and wanted to end the game. However, he also downplayed the significance of the situation, adding, "Stokes didn't have to bowl Brook and look silly at the end. We make far too much of these things".
Washington Sundar, when asked about the incident, diplomatically stated, "I think everyone saw on TV what happened and they all must have enjoyed it".
The controversy underscores the cultural differences in how cricket is played and perceived, as well as the pressures and emotions that can arise in high-stakes Test matches. While some view Stokes' actions as unsportsmanlike, others see them as a strategic decision to preserve his team's energy and focus on the bigger picture of winning the series. Regardless, the incident has added another layer of intrigue to an already captivating series, with the final Test promising to be a thrilling encounter.
