Sachin Tendulkar ends Ben Stokes' handshake controversy debate with a powerful statement: 'It Wasn't India's Problem'

The gripping series between India and England left enthusiasts thoroughly entertained and with a lot to reflect on. While every contest of the 2-2 drawn series was a masterpiece and ticked the column of thrills and spills, it also brought out the competitive nature of both teams. The same was testified during the closing minutes of the 4th Test in Manchester when the two sides came into odds with each other over the continuity of the match.

With 15 overs left and a stalemate was inevitable, England captain Ben Stokes did not see any point to stay on the field anymore and offered a handshake to the Indian batters in the middle- Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. As both batsmen were in their 80s, they denied the handshake and kept playing until they got to their deserved hundreds.

Sachin Tendulkar on the handshake controversy

The matter sparked debates among the knowers of the game, and polarising opinions were formed. In due course, legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has paid heed to the subject and has dropped the mic in front of those who sided with Stokes in the whole controversy.

“Washington scored a hundred, and Jadeja scored a hundred. Why is it not in the right spirit? They were playing for a draw. Before that, they battled it out when England were having a go at them, and negotiated it all to bat brilliantly,” began Tendulkar as he reviewed the series in a video posted on  Reddit.

“The series was alive, so why should they go ahead (and shake hands) and give rest to England bowlers and fielders? If England wanted to hand the ball to Harry Brook, it was Ben Stokes’ choice. It wasn’t India’s problem. To me, it was fine. They were playing for a draw, not their hundreds. If they had gotten out when they came to bat, we could’ve lost. When they came out to bat, Harry Brook wasn’t bowling, was he? So, why should England’s bowlers be fresh for the 5th Test? Do you have an answer for that? No!” said Tendulkar.

Tendulkar further stated that he blindly trusts the team’s approach, citing Washington Sundar’s example when he played a blinder of a knock in the 5th Test, to state that the players know when exactly to ramp up and when to put the guard up.

“I am absolutely with the Indian team, be it Gambhir or Shubman or Jadeja or Washington, whoever decided. I’m 100 percent with them. In the last Test match, when it was time to accelerate, Sundar did that brilliantly, didn’t he? Where it was needed to occupy the crease, he did that in the fourth Test. And when it was needed to press the accelerator hard, he did that in the fifth. So, well done,” said Tendulkar.