The recently concluded five-match Test series between India and England, which witnessed high-octane action and enthralling moments, was nothing short of spectacular, highlighting the true spirit of Test cricket. India ended the series 2-2, registering a stunning six-run victory in the final Test at The Oval. The decisive outcome of the series was made possible by India’s stiff resistance in the fourth Test that ended in a draw, helping them set up the decider. 

In the fourth Test, Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar fought back smartly, batting out the rest of the day (day 5) and delivering century-laden knocks to take the game to a draw. However, during the innings, England skipper Ben Stokes, realising there would be no winners, offered an early handshake to end the proceedings. 

But Indian players Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were both batting in their 80s, decided against shaking hands and continued to bat. Later, Ben Stokes’ move received a lot of backlash, and now Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has spoken on the matter. 

“According to me, the series was alive. So why should they (India) go ahead (to shake hands) and give the rest to England fielders and the bowlers? If they (England) want to bowl Harry Brook, it was Ben Stokes’ choice. That is not India’s problem. So, to me, it was absolutely fine. They were playing for a draw, not their hundreds. If they had gotten out when they came out to bat, we could’ve lost the Test. A few more wickets and we would’ve been in trouble. When they came out to bat, Harry Brook wasn’t bowling, right? Someone else was. So, why should England’s bowlers and fielders be kept fresh for the 5th Test? Do you have an answer for that? No!" Sachin said in a video posted on Reddit.

In the second innings of the fourth Test, India had lost Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal cheaply. However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill played valuable knocks of 90 and 103, respectively, to keep India alive in the game. Later, after their departures, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar played incredible innings, scoring 107* and 101*, respectively, to take the game to a draw.