Gautam Gambhir gives a perfect response to Ben Stokes whining about the no-handshake incident in the Manchester Test

Controversy over draw in Manchester Test: Gautam Gambhir's blunt answer

On the fifth day, when the match was not moving towards any result, Ben Stokes proposed to Jadeja and Sundar to draw the match and draw curtains to their torrid time in the field. At that time, Jadeja was batting on 89 and Sundar on 80 runs. Both batsmen had spent more than two sessions at the crease and were completely settled on the pitch.

Stokes even taunted Jadeja for an easy chance to score a century by bringing in a part-time bowler like Harry Brook. However, the Indian pair looked unfazed, instead decided to continue batting and completed their respective centuries.

Why did Gambhir say that a hundred runs are deserved?

Gambhir clearly said in the post-match press conference that if a batsman is above 90 and is playing with full effort, then does he not deserve a century? He also added that if any batsman from England had a chance to score his first Test century, would he also leave the field? The head coach said that this decision was completely of the players and they did what was right.

“If someone is batting on 90, and the other is batting on 85, don't they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off? If someone from England would've been batting on 90 or 85, and had the opportunity to score their first Test hundred, wouldn't you allow them to do it?” Gambhir asked in the post-match press conference.

“See, it's up to them. If they want to play that way, it's up to them. I think both of those guys deserved a hundred, and they got it,” he added.

KL Rahul and Shubman Gill's innings laid the foundation

Team India had a very bad start to their second innings in this match. The team had lost two wickets without scoring any runs. After this, KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill took charge of the innings. Together, the two forced the England bowlers to struggle for the entire fourth day. This partnership brought India back into the match and put pressure on England. This partnership set the stage for the partnership of Jadeja and Sundar.

Jadeja and Sundar's fighting partnership

On the fifth day, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar batted with determination on the pitch. Both of them not only saved their wickets, but also completely exhausted England players. There was an unbeaten partnership of more than 200 runs between these two. The frustration of the English players was visible with every over. Signs of both disappointment and frustration were clearly visible on their faces.

England's desperate attitude

Ben Stokes' proposal for a draw was probably the result of this frustration. He knew that the match had gone out of his hands. Stokes tried to show that he understood the spirit of the game, but his intentions were questioned. Was he really showing sportsmanship, or was he trying to salvage something at the end of the game by not letting those two Indian batters get their well-deserved tons?

Confidence of Indian batsmen

By rejecting the offer and in the face of all the tantrums from the England players, Jadeja and Sundar made it clear that they had done the hard work, and it will be them who will dictate the terms and not the English captain. They wanted to show that hard work will be rewarded, no matter who is in front. Both of them proved the mentality of a Test batsman – stay, fight and achieve your deserved position.

Was this against the spirit of cricket?

There was a lot of debate on this question as to whether the decision of the Indian players was against the spirit of the game. Some people said that the match was a draw anyway, so what was the need to bat for so long? However, Gambhir gave a clear answer to this: if a player has worked hard for two days, saved his team, then he deserves his century. Sportsmanship does not mean underestimating oneself.

Did Stokes use the issue of sportsmanship as a weapon?

Stokes asked to call Harry Brook to bowl so that Jadeja could get a century. He later reasoned that he was trying to save his premier fast bowlers, but we could clearly see that Brook was bowling full-tosses to Jadeja, and that clearly penned down the frustration of their captain and the other English players. By appealing to Jadeja and Sundar to leave the field, Stokes has said that 'team spirit' is above individual achievements. However, would he have said the same thing if Joe Root or Ben Duckett were on 90?

What message did this incident send to the Indian dressing room?

Gambhir's open support shows that the thinking in the Indian dressing room has changed. Here, the player is expected not only to play for the team but also take pride in his performance. This support from a coach like Gambhir will make the Indian team mentally stronger.

What was right?

If seen, the attitude of the Indian players in this whole matter was more accurate. They played a Test match with a balance of both sportsmanship and personal respect. Stokes' proposal reflects his strategic desperation. Jadeja and Sundar showed that you don't have to ask for the rewards of your hard work; you have to play and get it. Gambhir's support reflects the new thinking of Indian cricket - this team no longer bows down to pressure and gives full respect to the hard work of their players. This incident proves that cricket is not just a game of scores or results, but a game of respect, confidence and decisions. The Indian team proved themselves strong in all these aspects, and the English team made a mockery of themselves.