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Mint
2 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Sunil Gavaskar rips into Ben Stokes & Co. over Manchester Test theatrics: ‘Why did you not declare?'
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has questioned England's tactics in the fourth Test at Manchester, wondering why the hosts did not declare their innings sooner in order to force a result and instead waited to be bowled out. Going into the third innings, England had a lead of 311 runs, and while their pacers had a dream start by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan without a run on the board, they could not secure a win for their side. The match ended in a draw after solid partnerships first between skipper Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, and then between Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja ensured there was only one possible outcome. In the final hour of play, England captain Ben Stokes offered Jadeja and Sundar the chance to end the match with a draw, but the two batters were not in the mood to accept the offer, as both were close to reaching their respective centuries. After the offer was turned down, English players began sharing a piece of their mind with the Indian batters. Zak Crawley remarked that if they wanted to score a hundred, they should bat faster, while another fielder sarcastically asked how long it would take to get there. Lauding the effort put in by the young Indian team to draw the Test match, Gavaskar said (on Sony Sports), "I'm proud. I'm enormously proud of this, this team, for what they've done. I mean, just four wickets, yes, whatever the pitch might have been, whether it is good pitch, flat pitch, whatever it is to stick around there under pressure. " The former India captain went on to raise questions about England's tactics and wondered why England didn't declare earlier in the match if they wanted a result. Gavaskar also compared the situation to the one in Edgbaston where team India gave England a target of 608 runs to chase in the fourth innings of the match that wasn't particularly well received by the English players. '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 in India looked at. Give you 600 runs. But you ended up 336 run short. So that was just Bravado, just a little bit of loud talk.' Gavaskar added
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time Business News
Ashwin Slams England's 'Double Standards' After Jadeja and Washington Refuse Draw Offer
Veteran Indian cricketer R Ashwin has strongly criticized England's approach during the drawn fourth Test, calling their actions 'double standards.' The dramatic moment came when England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake near the final hour of the match, suggesting both teams call it a draw. But with Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja (on 89) and Washington Sundar (on 80) approaching well-deserved centuries, India chose to continue. Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, did not hold back. 'Have you heard the term double standards? They played your bowlers all day and suddenly when our players are close to their hundreds, you want to walk off? Why should they?' India finally agreed to draw the match—but only after both batters reached their centuries. For Washington, it was his first-ever Test century, a moment he and the team clearly didn't want to miss. You can follow more such breaking cricket updates on Crichourly – this is a sports news site dedicated to real-time match stories, player reactions, and post-match analysis. Ben Stokes later claimed he wanted to protect his tired bowlers, but that didn't sit well with many in the cricket world. Sunil Gavaskar, also commenting on the matter, said if he were captain, he'd have batted all 15 remaining overs. 'Keep batting and keep them on the field,' he said on Sony Sports. Stokes, possibly in frustration, even taunted Jadeja, asking if he really wanted a century 'against Harry Brook'—a part-time bowler. But Ashwin responded sharply: 'You bring Brook, not us. A hundred is a hundred, whether it's against a top pacer or part-timer. Washington and Jadeja earned it.' Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin backed India's decision, calling England's behavior poor sportsmanship: 'Just because they can't win, they wanted the match to end? India earned the right to stay and finish their innings.' Even former England captains supported India. Alastair Cook said continuing the innings gave India momentum heading into the final Test. Nasser Hussain added that England looked 'silly' by offering a draw and then bowling Harry Brook. 'Two lads worked hard. They deserved to get their Test hundreds,' Hussain said on Sky Sports. Readers looking for fair cricket coverage and expert insights can rely on Crichourly – this is a sports news site that brings every on-field moment to your screen. Ashwin ended the debate with a strong message: 'Test centuries aren't gifts. They are earned. India did nothing wrong. It was their right to play.' With the series still alive, the final Test at The Oval now holds even more tension—not just in scoreline, but in spirit. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Ashwin slams England for their 'double standards' during Manchester Test
India's Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar's refusal to accept England captain Ben Stokes' handshake offer to end the fourth Test early sparked widespread debate and support from the cricketing world. The drama unfolded in the final hour when Stokes, acknowledging that a result was unlikely and concerned about his exhausted bowlers, suggested calling the match a draw. However, both Jadeja and Sundar, nearing their centuries, chose to continue batting, frustrating the home side. Ashwin calls out England and Stokes' last hour antics India's star off-spinner R Ashwin openly criticized England's 'double standards' on his YouTube channel. He pointed out that India had faced England's bowlers all day, batting them out to save the match, and questioned why they should leave just because they were close to personal milestones. "Have you heard the term double standards? They played your bowlers all day, batted you out, and suddenly, when they're nearing hundreds, you want to walk off? Why should they?" an irate Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube show 'Ash ki Baat'. "You ask, 'You want to make a hundred against Harry?' Not Brook, brother. He has to make a hundred. Bring any bowler - they won't object. Why Brook? Call Steve Harmison, call Andrew Flintoff for all we care. It was your call to bring Brook, not ours." Ashwin emphasized that centuries in Test cricket are earned, not handed out, and firmly supported India's decision to bat on until both players reached three figures, with Sundar scoring his maiden Test hundred. Legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar and Ashwin both expressed that India should have continued batting for the full 15 overs mandated in the final session. Gavaskar stated on Sony Sports that he would have kept the team at the crease to maximize the advantage, and Ashwin echoed this view. The episode also drew criticism from former players worldwide. Australian ex-wicketkeeper Brad Haddin praised India's determination, calling England's offer to end the game prematurely 'poor sportsmanship.' He lauded India for earning the right to stay on the field and complete their centuries, despite England's frustration. Former England captain Alastair Cook supported India's decision, saying the momentum gained from reaching those milestones could prove valuable ahead of the final Test at The Oval. Cook acknowledged England's fatigue but understood why India pressed on. Nasser Hussain, another former England skipper, called Stokes' decision to bowl part-time bowler Harry Brook after the handshake 'silly.' Hussain said England's frustration was understandable due to tired bowlers, but the credit belonged to India for their performance and determination. Overall, the incident highlighted the clash between competitive spirit and sportsmanship, with many experts backing India's right to pursue personal and team milestones despite the drawn result.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Sunil Gavaskar Blasts Ben Stokes And Co For 'Sarcastic' Act: "Not Being Mature..."
The fourth India vs England Test was not away from controversy. A huge debatable moment occured when England captain Ben Stokes offered for a draw with 15 overs left in the Manchester Test but India declined it with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar both batting in their eighties. The visitors waited for both the batters to smash their respective centuries before the match could be ended early. Since, England didn't want to bowl the final 15 overs, their players didn't acknowledge the achievements of Jadeja and Sundar when the players touched the three-figure mark. The attitude of England players disappointed Gavaskar, who blasted the side. "A majority of the England players not to be clapping when their hundreds were achieved doesn't really reflect well because they have to acknowledge the 80 plus that both of them scored. I know in modern day cricket, those kind of things are looked down upon as not being manly enough or not being mature enough to acknowledge another sportsperson's superiority. I can understand if Ben Stokes or Joe Root were little sarcastic about it but none of the others in this England team have scored enough hundreds to be sarcastic about the other batters looking to get their hundreds," said Gavaskar on Sony Sports. Drama unfolded in the high-intensity Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on Sunday after Indian batters Jadeja and Sundar refused England skipper Stokes' offer to call off the fourth Test and settle for a draw before the start of the final hour of play. There is a provision that allows both captains to shake hands and agree to a draw if they feel that the possibility of a result is impossible. Having worked hard to earn a creditable draw, Jadeja and Washington, flatly refused Stokes' offer after he had approached the umpire, which irked the England skipper no end. With both approaching their hundreds after having saved the match for India who started their second innings 311 runs in arrears, Jadeja and Washington exercised their rights to continue batting. India coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill backed the decision to carry on batting.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Ravichandran Ashwin calls out England's ‘double standard'; cricket fraternity back India
Feisty R Ashwin called out England's "doubles standards" in their attempt to prematurely end the fourth Test as cricket fraternity extensively supported India's decision to let Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar complete their well-deserved centuries instead of accepting home team's handshake offer. Drama erupted at the start of the final hour of the match on Sunday (July 27, 2025) when home skipper Ben Stokes offered to shake hands with Indian batters, realising that an outright result was not possible. Jadeja and Washington batting on 89 and 80 respectively refused the offer to leave the England captain frustrated. Stokes later said that he made the offer since he didn't want to risk injury to his fatigued frontline bowlers. "Have you heard the term double standards? They played your bowlers all day, batted you out and suddenly when they're nearing hundreds, you want to walk off? Why should they?," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "They have played all your bowlers since morning and taken it to a draw. They have worked hard, so you want them to leave their hundred?" the former off-spinner fumed. India eventually called it a draw once both Jadeja and Washington brought up their centuries. It was Washington's maiden Test ton. Both Ashwin and legendary Sunil Gavaskar said they would have had India bat mandated 15 overs. "If I was the Indian captain, I would have played the entire 15 overs," Ashwin said. Gavaskar echoed the same sentiment on Sony Sports: "I'd ask them to keep batting and keep the team on the field for the full 15 overs." As England players crowded Jadeja, Stokes had sarcastically quipped "You're going to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook (part-time bowler)?" "You ask, 'You want to make a hundred against Harry Brook? He has to make a hundred, you bring Steve Harmison, Andre Flintoff bring any bowler - they didn't object, it was your call to bring Brook, not ours," Ashwin said. "These are Test runs, a century is earned, not gifted, Washington deserved it, Jadeja deserved it. Period." Ashwin said India were well within their rights to refuse to call it a draw with the two batters going for their milestone. "There were two reasons: one you didn't want to tire your bowlers. Fine. Second you were frustrated and though 'If I'm not happy, you shouldn't be either'. That's now how cricket works." Former Australia keeper-batter Brad Haddin called out England for their poor sportsmanship. "India showed tremendous fight on the final day. Then all of a sudden, it was a situation when England said they can't win so then let's stop the game because England are done playing," Haddin said on the 'WillowTalkPodcast'. "I liked what India did, they earned the right to stay as long as they want. They had the right to make the hundred. Just because it didn't go England's way and they didn't get the answer that they want, all of sudden they (England) weren't happy and started getting verbal. "So things don't go England's way all of sudden it's everyone else's problem. Well done to India," Haddin said. Former England captain Alastair Cook too backed India's decision, suggesting the momentum would serve them well heading into the fifth and final Test at The Oval, which they need to win to level the series. "It was the right decision for (Jadeja and Washington) to carry on for the momentum they'll gain from it," Cook said on BBC's 'Test Match Special'. "When you've been out in the field for 140 overs, you get frustrated. So, it is a little bit of frustration for England but I understand why India did it," he added. Nasser Hussain, another former skipper, agreed termed Stokes' decision to bowl Harry Brook after the handshake as "silly". "I didn't have a problem with it. England seemed to have a problem with it. They were a bit tired, tired bowlers so they wanted to get off but two lads worked hard to get to 80s and 90s and they wanted to get Test match hundreds," Hussain said on 'Sky Sports'. "Stokes didn't have to bowl Brook and look silly at the end. We make far too much of these things. They played well and all credit to India," Hussain said.
