“It Was Up to the Boys” – Shubman Gill Breaks Silence After Jadeja, Sundar Reject Stokes’ Handshake
Shubman Gill backs Jadeja and Sundar after they deny Ben Stokes' handshake, helping India force a draw in Manchester Test.
India’s fighting spirit was on full display on the final day of the Manchester Test, as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar batted through pressure, helped force a draw, and stood their ground, literally and figuratively, when England tried to end the match early.
Late in the evening session, with India at 386 for 4 and leading by 75 runs, England captain Ben Stokes walked up to the crease with a handshake offer.
But both Indian batters were in their 90s and politely turned it down. What followed was an awkward exchange. Stokes shook his head and walked away visibly annoyed, while Jadeja remained firm at the crease.
The situation got tense, with a few English players seen exchanging words with the Indian all-rounder. But the Indian camp didn’t flinch.
Gill Backs the Batters
After the match ended, India captain Shubman Gill made it clear there was no confusion about the decision to play on.
“It was up to the boys,” Gill said at the presentation. “I thought they batted brilliantly, both of them were in the 90s, and both deserved their centuries.”
Eventually, once both Jadeja and Sundar completed their hundreds, the players agreed to shake hands and end the Test.
From 0/2 to Total Resistance
India began their second innings under huge pressure, trailing by 311 runs after England posted a massive 669.
They were 0 for 2 in no time, but Gill and KL Rahul added a strong 188-run partnership to fight back.
Rahul fell for 90 early on Day 5, and Gill followed later for 103. But India weren’t done.
Jadeja and Sundar took charge and stitched together an unbroken 203-run stand, not only saving the match but frustrating England, who were looking to seal the series 3-1.
Instead, they were forced to watch India take full control of Day 5, with just two wickets falling across three sessions.
The draw means England still lead 2-1, but India have the momentum heading into the final Test at The Oval. Manchester may not have delivered a win, but it delivered a strong message.
