A recent Test match between India and England at Manchester sparked a lively debate among cricket fans and former players alike, particularly over a controversial handshake offer that was turned down.
The Manchester Standoff
The incident unfolded in the final hour of Day 5. With the match heading towards a draw, England skipper Ben Stokes approached Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, extending a handshake to signal an early end to the game.
However, the Indian duo declined the offer, choosing to play on. This decision reportedly led to a brief verbal exchange between Stokes, his teammates, and the Indian batters. Jadeja and Sundar continued their innings, both completing their centuries before the match eventually concluded in a draw five overs later.
Shamsi Questions the Uproar
The refusal to accept the draw became a hot topic in the cricketing world, with many siding with India. South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his confusion over the backlash.
Shamsi questioned why such a significant fuss was being made. He argued that India was fully entitled to make their choice, and since they worked hard for their centuries, it was understandable they wanted to reach the milestone before shaking hands.
Steyn’s Nuanced Take
Former Proteas pacer Dale Steyn offered a different perspective, describing the situation as an “onion with many layers.” Steyn acknowledged that while India’s actions were within the rules, they seemed “odd.”
His primary point was that the Indian batsmen were already playing for a draw, which was their team’s ultimate goal. Once that outcome was essentially guaranteed, Steyn felt that accepting the handshake would have been the “gentlemanly thing to do.” He suggested that using that safe period to achieve personal milestones, like centuries, felt out of place.
The Debate Continues
Shamsi quickly responded to Steyn, reiterating his stance. He emphasized that no single individual should dictate how long a player bats, and just because an offer for a draw is made, it doesn’t mean the opposing team has to accept it.
He put it simply: “If you wana call the shots about how long I can bat…get me out! at least that’s how I see it.”
The “Final Hour” Argument
Steyn, however, held firm on his view about the spirit of the game in its closing moments. He argued that while rules allow teams to shake hands with an hour left, that period is not “reserved for personal goals.”
He stressed that the match had reached a point where neither team could win or lose, making a handshake the logical and team-oriented conclusion. Steyn concluded with a lighthearted remark, admitting that if he and Shamsi were batting on 90 each, it would take a “tank to pull us off that field!”
- India’s refusal to accept an early draw offer from England sparked a controversy.
- Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar aimed to complete centuries before the match ended.
- Tabraiz Shamsi supported India’s right to play on and achieve individual milestones.
- Dale Steyn argued that once a draw was certain, accepting the handshake was the “gentlemanly” thing to do.
- Steyn emphasized that the final hour of a Test match should be about team goals, not individual achievements.
This incident has certainly fueled discussions about sportsmanship, team objectives versus personal records, and the unwritten rules of cricket.
