Team India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, questioned Ben Stokes’ angry reaction to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar’s decision to bat on and get hundreds in the final stages of the Manchester Test. Gambhir lashed out at the England squad, asking if the hosts would have terminated the game if one of their batsmen was in a similar circumstance.
The fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford on Sunday, July 27, finished in an unusual fashion when Sundar and Jadeja refused Stokes’ offer to terminate the game after 138 overs. Sundar had 80, while Jadeja had 89. Both hitters were keen to complete their individual centuries.
With England forced to continue the Test, Ben Stokes brought on part-time bowlers Harry Brook and Joe Root, and the Indians easily completed their tons. However, there was significant anger amongst the teams as they walked off. During the post-match news conference, Gambhir defended Jadeja and Sundar while criticizing Stokes and co. He said:
“If someone is batting on 90 [89] and the other one is batting on 85 [80], don’t they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off if someone in the England side would have been batting on 90 or 85? If someone has the opportunity to get first Test hundred, wouldn’t you allow him to do it? They’ve weathered the storm.
Gautam Gambhir
“If they [England] want to play that way, it’s up to them. I’ve got nothing to do with it. I think both those guys deserved a hundred and fortunately, they got it.”
Gautam Gambhir
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Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar joined forces, and India scored 222-4 in the second innings. The all-rounders put on an unbroken 203-run stand for the fifth wicket as India salvaged the series with a hard-fought draw in Manchester.
“Washington Sundar himself was in very good form. We always knew that with Rishabh not being there at No. 5, it was our opportunity to put Washi at five. There is not even an inch of surprise at what he did today. I am sure he is going to achieve a lot of success in the future as well.”
Gautam Gambhir
Sundar finished undefeated on 101 off 206 balls, his first Test hundred, which included nine fours and a six. Jadeja scored 107* from 185 balls, with 13 fours and one six.
