Gautam Gambhir responded strongly to the final moments drama in the Manchester Test, when India declined Stokes’ offer of a draw.
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Gautam Gambhir: Final Moments Drama: Jadeja and Sundar Defy Stokes to Complete Centuries
The closing minutes of the Manchester Test between India and England erupted in drama when Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar rejected Ben Stokes’ offer of a draw. Both batters were closing in on hard-fought centuries after an exhausting innings, refusing to settle and sparking visible frustration from the England captain. The tense standoff escalated into a heated on-field exchange, marking a dramatic end to the game.
Despite verbal jabs from English players targeting Jadeja, both he and Sundar reached their centuries. The post-match handshakes added fuel to the fire as Stokes notably snubbed the Indian duo, further stirring controversy. While India’s captain Shubman Gill supported Jadeja and Sundar, emphasizing their right to reach three figures, Stokes maintained that his priority was protecting his bowlers.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, known for his straightforwardness, staunchly defended Sundar and Jadeja during the post-match press conference. Turning the question back on England, Gautam Gambhir challenged whether English batters would have behaved differently if one was chasing a maiden Test century.
Sundar eventually reached his maiden Test century in the second innings, prompting the teams to finally exchange handshakes.
India keep series alive
Thanks to a herculean batting effort in the second innings, India has kept the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy contest alive. Needing a positive result in Manchester while trailing 2-1 in the series, India’s determined performance secured a crucial draw. The team now heads to London with renewed hope, aiming to replicate their previous tour’s remarkable comeback when they drew the series despite England’s initial dominance.