“Would England have accepted a tie?” Gambhir slams England for controversy over draw proposal

India had a tied game in Manchester, resulting in a dispute between England and India. Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined England captain Ben Stokes’ suggestion to agree on a draw, leading to the match being announced as drawn. India’s coach Gautam Gambhir backed the decision and expressed disapproval of the England team.

New Delhi: India played for nearly one and a half days in the fourth Test in Manchester, resulting in a drawn match. Frustrated by this, the England players attempted to deliberately spark a controversy on the match's fifth day. He then suggested a draw to conclude the match swiftly in front of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar at the crease and approached for a handshake.

Jadeja and Sundar rejected it. Furious about this, the British charged across the area between the two. Nevertheless, Jadeja and Sundar both hit centuries, and subsequently, the match was declared drawn. Currently, there are intense responses globally to this dispute. India coach Gautam Gambhir has supported his players' choice and criticized the England team. "Had there been an England player in that scenario, would the match have concluded with a tie?"

About The Whole Matter

The fourth Test shifted dramatically when Indian batsmen Jadeja and Sundar rejected England captain Ben Stokes' proposal to settle for a draw before the last hour of play began. In a Test match, it is stipulated that if both captains believe the outcome of the match is unattainable, they can collaborate and consent to a draw. Following a tough effort to achieve a draw, Jadeja and Sundar declined Stokes' proposal while they were at 89 and 80 respectively. The captain of England was enraged. The two batsmen chose to keep batting as they approached the century milestone

Stokes attempts to irritate Jadeja-Sundar. Following Stokes' remarks, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were observed questioning why India chose to keep playing. "Do you intend to make a century off Harry Brook?" Stokes asked with sarcasm. Jadeja responded, "I can't do anything." Jadeja, in the meantime, kept his composure with a grin.

Based on the regulations, India was fully entitled to keep batting. Stokes subsequently brought Harry Brook into the bowling lineup in response, and Jadeja struck him for a six, securing his fifth Test century. Throughout this period, the England players displayed a poor attitude and began delivering loose and short deliveries to Jadeja and Sundar.

In the press conference after the match, Gambhir was questioned regarding the incident. "If one player is at 90 and another at 85, shouldn't they earn their centuries?" If England's players were nearing such an achievement, would the team have opted for a tie? No. Our boys have fought valiantly. He achieved that hundred. We are not here to satisfy anyone.