ENG vs IND 2025: Ben Stokes Faces Backlash from Cricket Experts Over No Handshake Controversy

Cricket world reacts to Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar's no-handshake fiasco

Nasser Hussain's reaction

Former English captain Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports that he did not see any moral fault in this decision. He said that the English players were feeling tired, tired bowling, with tired legs - they just wanted to eat and drink. Hussain also said that Jadeja and Sundar had worked hard; they fought till the last half hour and had the right to score a century in the Test match. The former English captain also insisted that Stokes should not have bowled to a bowler like Harry Brook, but he did. He said that it was not right to pay excessive attention to this incident. India played brilliantly, and the draw was the result of their right.

Ravichandran Ashwin's comment

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin adopted a tough stance on the YouTube channel "Ash Ki Baat". He said that Stokes' disappointment is not India's problem. Ashwin raised the question that if the captain himself is angry, then how come he does not let Jadeja finish the match happy by holding on to less than a century? He said that Stokes was trying to impose his shortcomings on Jadeja's hard work. Ashwin strongly described the behaviour shown by the England team against the spirit of the game that they brag on so much. The former off-spinner said that if there is frustration, the fielders can throw stones after the game, throw helmets, or punch the wall, but they have no right to take away someone's happiness.

Sanjay Manjrekar's view

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjarkar said in an interview on JioHotstar that Stokes should have understood that the rest of the world does not think like England. India's cricket culture is different. He said that Jadeja and Sundar had worked hard all day to save the match, and the century was their right. Manjrekar also stated that the behaviour of the English players looked shameful because they were insulting Jadeja's excellent hard work. He argued that India played with full dignity, while the English players were disgraced. Manjrekar made it clear that the Indian players took the right decision.

Geoffrey Boycott's opinion

Writing an article in the Telegraph, former English player Geoffrey Boycott criticised the English attitude. He wrote that when India's batting stretched England's fast bowlers, defended hard, and both the all-rounders came close to the century mark - then Jadeja and Sundar's centuries were justified. Boycott described England's attitude as having double standards. He also revealed that when the England team did not find something right in their mind, the slogan of Spirit of Cricket was raised, but when India were matching the same spirit, they were immediately pulled out.

Mohammad Kaif's allegation

Former India player Mohammad Kaif spoke in clear words that Stokes' respect has diminished due to this incident. He alleged that the English captain tried to snatch the century from the batsmen and adopted ruthless methods to draw the match. He said that the captain should have shown restraint at such a time. The former Indian cricketer condemned the England team's pessimistic behaviour and said Stokes should have taken responsibility for his own decisions.

Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir's View

As the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match press conference that if England players were batting at 90 and 85 instead of Jadeja and Sundar, would England have not given them a chance to complete their centuries? The Head Coach confirmed that Jadeja and Sundar deserved their centuries; their performance saved the match. Gambhir also made it clear that the Indian players had decided with full dignity - no pressure was thrown at them from the dressing room and the management.

Harsh comments from the Australian media

The Australian press targeted the England team and captain with sarcasm. One headline of a newspaper revealed that England should "stop complaining about huge disappointment" and asked who owns the 'spirit' of cricket. The Brisbane Times quipped that the shameful scenes at Old Trafford were a display of anger and frustration of England that ruined the fun of the match. The Herald Sun used words like "moral hypocrisy". All this raised questions about the morality of the English team itself.

India's right, England's inability

What is clear in this entire incident is that Jadeja and Sundar continued to bat within the rules. Their centuries were no small feat. They saved the Indian team in difficult circumstances. England gave priority to their fatigue instead of doing what was right. English captain Ben Stokes, who has always considered himself a decision maker in the interest of the team, that day gave priority to his own tired bowling. Nasser Hussain said that a tired body shapes decisions. Ravichandran Ashwin called it a weakness of the captain. Sanjay Manjrekar exposed the whining side of England and the difference in Indian and English cricketing culture. Boycott questioned England's double standards. Mohammad Kaif raised the issue of loss of respect for the English captain. Gautam Gambhir advocated selflessness and justice for the Indian all-rounders, while the Australian media put England in the dock in the name of fairness.

Challenges ahead: Tension before the Oval Test

Now the final Test will start on July 31, at the Oval, and will be the decider of the England vs India series. England are currently leading the series 2-1. This controversy has increased tension between both sides. The Indian team will try to turn this tension into positive energy. England will definitely re-strategise. Captain Stokes will have to come out of the shadow of this incident. Indian players have created an image that they are determined to get the fruits of their hard work. This Oval Test can be decisive on both psychological and technical fronts.

Additional Views and Analysis

This controversy raises questions on the modern spirit of cricket, ethics, leadership, balance between player fatigue and individual achievements. Each expert presented his point from a different angle. Nasser Hussain sympathised with fatigue. Ravichandran Ashwin emphasised the lack of character in the England captain. Sanjay Manjrekar took the side of cultural differences. Boycott condemned the double-standard attitude. Mohammad Kaif attacked the English captain's style of conduct. Gautam Gambhir gave prominence to the sense of justice and respect. The Australian media raised questions about England's reputation. This situation makes it clear that the final Test will be more about morale than the match itself. This kind of controversy also shows how important it is to maintain a balance between individual achievements (such as centuries) and team victory in Test cricket. The Indian pair made both possible. England will next have to see how to make a strategy while hiding their fatigue with respect and restraint.