&w=3840&q=100)
'That was just bravado. Just loud talk': Sunil Gavaskar slams Ben Stokes over drama in Manchester Test
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has lauded the Indian team for their spirited performance in the ongoing Test series against England. Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Gavaskar said he was 'enormously proud' of how the team batted under pressure during the third innings of the fourth Test in Manchester, which India eventually saved by batting throughout the final day.
'I'm enormously proud of this team for what they've done. Just four wickets down. Yes, whatever the pitch might have been — good pitch, flat pitch, whatever it is — to stick around there under pressure,' Gavaskar said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Also Read: India head coach Gautam Gambhir involved in heated altercation with The Oval's chief curator; watch video
Gavaskar slams Ben Stokes & Co.
Gavaskar also slammed England skipper Ben Stokes and his team for throwing tantrums after India denied his request for a draw at the start of the final session on Day 5. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were batting in the middle, refused to shake Stokes' hands when he offered a draw. They told him the decision was upto their captain Shubman Gill.
Gill, who was sitting in the dressing room, didn't move a muscle when the incident was playing out in the middle. Gavaskar slammed Stokes for trying to end the game when Jadeja and Sundar were nearing centuries. He also questioned England's decision-making when it came to declaring their first innings, where Stokes himself scored a century and took time to get to his 150.
'And the question can be asked, Did England bat too long before they declared, because, you know when, when India gave England 600 runs to chase, 600 plus rush to chase at Birmingham, some of the England players, when they came out for the press conference later on, they said, but they were scared, and that's why they gave us more than 600 when I remember reading somewhere earlier on that you know, one England players that said, while they were in India, give us 600 plus. Give us anything, we'll chase. That's what India looked at. Give you 600 runs. But you ended up 336 run short. So that was just bravado. Just loud talk.' Gavaskar added.
Also Read: Washington Sundar's father accuses BCCI selectors, India team management of bias: 'Other players get regular chances'
India are currently trailing 2-1 in the five-match series and have just one game left to level it. They missed the chance to win their first Test series in England in 18 years by drawing the fourth Test. Now, the best possible outcome for India is to draw the series.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
17 minutes ago
- The Hindu
India's here-and-now man Siraj ushers in the future
It is unlikely that Indian television will devise a 'Sirajcam', but it should. Since the retirement of Virat Kohli (and the so-called 'Kohlicam', seemingly focused exclusively on him), it is Siraj's face that screens in real time all the emotions he and his team go through. There is sorrow and joy, disappointment and anticipation, humour and anger (England players called him Mr. Angry), and sometimes a combination. Watching him you know exactly how the team is doing. His shoulders never drop, he seldom cuts his speed, doesn't believe in saving it for the future. He is Indian cricket's here-and-now man, focused intensely on the present. Yet even he didn't register immediately the enormity of what he had done when, with a yorker his hero Jasprit Bumrah would have been proud of, he flattened Gus Atkinson's off stump. For a split second the screen that was his face went blank before shock, disbelief, ecstasy chased each other across it. Then his expressive hands came into play, hands raised in thanksgiving, and signalling redemption at the Oval after he had messed up a catch the previous day. In a series dominated by batting, his 23 wickets might have seen Siraj finish as the Player of the Series, but he will not cavil at the final choice, his captain Shubhman Gill. After all, Gill had been responsible for India's win at Edgbaston following the loss at Leeds, and had led the fight that culminated in a draw at Old Trafford to keep the series alive. Asked what he had learnt as captain, Gill articulated what might well be the team's motto: 'We never give up'. Gill has deservedly slipped into the slot occupied by Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar before him. The team is a productive mix of the established and the newbies who look up to the new captain. India return a better team than the one that landed in England, and you can't ask for more. Ironically, India won twice without Bumrah's presence. His absence seems to motivate Siraj more. He enjoys the responsibility of being the lead fast bowler. Seven wickets in Birmingham and nine at the Oval, 16 wickets in India's wins. Few supporting acts slide into the main role so easily. From Lord's to the Oval 🏟️ The power of belief 💪 A dramatic turnaround by Mohd. Siraj that inspired the change in emotions and result 🙌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @ — BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025 Has there been a more thrilling five-Test series involving India? Both teams must contribute to the excitement, of course, and England did so in equal measure, Bazballing to the end, staying with their philosophy, keeping at it come rain or sunshine or Mohammed Siraj. The dismissals of Harry Brook in the first innings and Jamie Smith in the second might have caused comment in other teams. But this is England. This is what they do. Ben Stokes, the on-field instigator of bright, entertaining cricket may have been a spectator here, but stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, despite personal failures, went with the programme. It's been a series of incredible cricket. One swing of the bat might have tied the final Test. As Siraj began his 31st over, the 86th of the innings, any of four results (although the draw might have needed the help of rain) was still possible. The odds on England making it 3-1 had receded somewhat, but someone still needed to take the final wicket. Preferably one where the DRS was not involved! Siraj made sure of both. There is time enough to discuss things that could have been better. Things that could have been avoided. From Gautam Gambhir's outburst and classist remarks to the rethink on Bumrah; from team selection to gaps yet to be filled. It has to be celebration time now, a 2-2 finish a fair one. India did win most of the sessions of play overall even if they didn't quite win some key moments. None of that matters now. For a team in transition to draw a series in England is remarkable. It came down to one man taking three wickets on the final morning. Siraj has explained how he googled the Cristiano Ronaldo emoji with 'Believe' (Ronaldo is with his arm raised and forefinger up rather like Siraj when he appeals for a wicket) to inspire him. Next time Ronaldo feels low, he can google Mohammed Siraj who believed. And triumphed.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shedding weight, Karthi Selvam back in India hockey team fold
CHENNAI: After a two-year span, Tamil Nadu's Karthi Selvam has earned a spot in the Indian men's hockey team, for the four-match tour to Australia from August 15 to 21. The 23-year-old Karthi last featured in national colours during the Asian Champions Trophy and had a good outing in front of his home crowd. However, he was out of reckoning since then before securing his entry into the 24-member squad to Perth. 'It feels good to get a chance after a long time. After the Asian Champions Trophy, I was not part of the Indian camp, so I did not train regularly due to which I put on a lot of weight. Being a forward, fitness is very important, and I have worked hard in the last one year to be fit. I see a lot of improvement and think that I have reached the standards to be part of the Indian team,' Karthi told TOI over a call. Karthi returned to the core probables group for the national camp earlier this year and was part of several India 'A' tours to Europe. The performances in those tours could have landed him a spot in the India squad. 'After improving my fitness, coaches told me to work on my play from nine yards and work on footwork. The experience in the recent tour to Europe was productive as we got to compete with the main teams. I created several goal-scoring opportunities, and the coaches told me that I have improved my game,' Karthi added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai With the Australian tour serving as a precursor to the Asia Cup, the World Cup qualifying competition, Karthi will be eyeing for a berth in the continental event. 'I do not have any pressure, but I have to make full use of the opportunity that I get in the four matches. I would like to execute what the coach wants and play for the team.' One area of concern has been the lack of field goals and efforts are being put in to improve in this aspect. 'We are working on scoring field goals. We are focusing on specific inputs, such as how to score from the top of the D and how to build a good connection among the forwards. Field goals will come only if there is proper coordination between the forwards. From outside, I felt there was a good connection, but it was missing for a short period. We created many chances but failed to convert them.'
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Shubman Gill To Miss Asia Cup Due To West Indies Test Commitments? Report Makes Big Claim
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are in the fray for selection in India's Asia Cup squad, which is expected to be picked in the third week of August. Jaiswal and Test captain Gill have not featured in the last few T20 assignments owing to a packed calendar but their one-month rest period post the five-Test series against England is expected to make them available for the continental tournament. As per sources in the BCCI, the national selectors are keeping options open even as the Test series against the West Indies at home starts in less than a week's time if India qualify for the final of the continental T20 event which is slated on September 28. The first Test against the West Indies at Ahmedabad starts on October 2. It must be mentioned that Jaiswal scored 559 runs at a strike-rate of 160 in the last edition of the IPL while Gill had 650 runs in 15 games at a healthy strike- rate of 155-plus. Gill's opening partner at Gujarat Titans, Sudharsan was the 'Orange Cap' winner with 759 runs at a SR of 156. "There is a five week break and with no cricket around, these three should walk into any T20 squad despite stupendous show by Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. In 21 days in Asia Cup, if one plays till final, there are 6 T20 games and that's not much of a workload. But obviously with 17 member squads allowed for the Asia Cup, selectors will weigh options carefully," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. Keeping the tracks of UAE in mind and also the T20 World Cup in six months time, Jaiswal, Gill and Sudharsan should logically form the core of the top order. Sudharsan, who made his ODI debut in late 2023 has been in tremendous T20 form. Another important talking point is the availability of pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Both bowlers have been managed carefully after an extended workload across formats and are expected to undergo fitness assessment before the selection meeting.
