Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar criticised England skipper Ben Stokes for his conduct on Day 5 of the fourth Test against India in Manchester, which ended in a draw. India, needing to save the match, were in trouble at four down before all-rounders Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja stitched an unbeaten 203-run partnership.
With no result likely, Stokes suggested ending the game early with 15 overs left, but India chose to continue so both batters could aim for centuries. The decision didn’t sit well with Ben Stokes, who showed visible frustration and even brought on part-timer Harry Brook to bowl in the final overs.
Sachin Tendulkar defended India’s decision, stating they did nothing inappropriate. He felt that with the series still open, it was a smart tactical move to exhaust England’s bowlers and fielders further.
“People talk about the fourth Test, that hundred by Washington and Jadeja. Was it in the right spirit? Why not? They were playing for a draw. Earlier, England was going at them, and all that.”
“If the batsman is batting till the end of play, both of them, yes, they got hundreds, but according to me, the series was alive; why should they go in and give rest to the England fielders and bowlers, if they want Harry Brook or Ben Stokes to bowl, that’s their choice, not India’s problem,” he said on his YouTube channel. (28:44)
“So to me, it was absolutely fine that they were playing for the draw, not the hundred. When they came to bat, if they’d gotten out at that time, we could have lost the Test match. So I am absolutely with the Indian team, whether it’s Gambhir, Shubman, Jadeja, or Washington,” he added.
Sachin Tendulkar labels Indian All-Rounder An Underrated Asset
Sachin Tendulkar praised Ravindra Jadeja for his consistent batting performances throughout the series. He described Jadeja as “underrated” and felt that the all-rounder doesn’t receive the recognition he truly deserves.
“Ravindra Jadeja, I would say underrated player, the way he contributes, he often doesn’t get enough credit. In fact, as a batter, he’s been remarkable in this series, and not just in this series, if you notice, he’ll come and rattle the opposition,” he said.
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