The hottest spoken controversy of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was the 4th Test Ben Stokes–Ravindra Jadeja handshake drama, which drew reactions from many experts, with most taking sides and pointing out who was right.
The latest to jump in with his opinion was none other than the man after whom the trophy is named, legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He recently reacted to the viral video, sharing a clear and straightforward view while fully backing the decision made by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
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During the 4th Test, the match was heading towards a draw as India managed to stay in the chase without losing many wickets. England skipper Ben Stokes, seemingly ready to make the draw official, approached Ravindra Jadeja for a formal handshake. However, Jadeja declined it politely along with his partner, Washington Sundar, as both were in their 80s.
With 15 overs remaining, they chose to focus on reaching their centuries and did so in style before heading to the dressing room.
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This moment between Stokes and Jadeja became a talking point that carried over into the next match. Now, with Tendulkar speaking on it, he didn’t hold back, making it clear he felt there was no issue with how India handled the situation.
"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.
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Sachin fully acknowledged what Jadeja and Sundar did on the field and backed them for their decision to go for personal milestones after saving the match for the team.
"I am absolutely with the Indian team, be it Gambhir or Shubman or Jadeja or Washington, who 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.
