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After the fourth Test match between England and India in Manchester ended in a draw, there have been different reactions regarding Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refusing to shake hands with the English players while they were nearing milestones. Both Jadeja and Sundar were a few runs short of their respective tons when the England captain offered for a draw with a handshake with 15 overs remaining in the match. However, the Indian batters refused to shake hands which frustrated the English captain.
Eventually, Jadeja was the first to complete his hundred during the final moments of the match. After a couple of overs, Sundar also completed his maiden Test hundred after which Indian batters proceeded to shake hands signaling a draw. Although several former cricketers from England are criticizing India for delaying the draw, former captain Alastair Cook backed Jadeja and Sundar’s decision that it was a right decision.
I understand why India do it: Alastair Cook
In his interview with BBC Sport, Alastair Cook supported India’s decision to continue until Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar’s hundreds. The former England captain said that after five years, people will look at these two knocks as a great one which went on to save the Test match.
“It was the right decision for them to carry on, for the momentum they’re getting from it. When you’re out in the field for 140 overs, you get frustrated,” Cook said.
"It’s a little bit of frustration for England, but I understand why India do it. Five years down the line, you look at the scorecard, you see two brilliant hundreds to save the game plus obviously Gill’s as well so it will be forgotten about Harry Brook's 37-mile-an-hour ball,” he further added.
