Daijiworld Media Network- Manchester

Manchester, Aug 14: India all-rounder Washington Sundar has broken his silence on the much-talked-about handshake controversy during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The episode involved England captain Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sundar himself, after Stokes offered Jadeja a handshake on the final day — signalling a draw — which was declined as both Jadeja and Sundar were nearing their centuries.

The refusal sparked visible frustration among Stokes and several England players, leading to heated exchanges on the field. Sundar, speaking to Wisden, downplayed the incident, saying such moments are part and parcel of competitive sport.

“I mean, it just happens in any sport, doesn’t it? We’ve seen a lot of such things happen, not just in cricket, but in any sport. That’s how sport is — it brings out a lot. I think it was just an experience for all of us, honestly,” Sundar remarked.

The Tamil Nadu cricketer admitted, however, that the flare-up acted as a catalyst for the Indian team’s fighting spirit. “One hundred per cent. You ask this to any player — that’s exactly what you would hear. Especially in Test cricket, you want to be challenged because that’s exactly what you expect every single day. And when the situation gets tough, the only thing that will help you get over it and come out successful is being really tough in your head,” he said.

India’s youngest Test captain, Shubman Gill, led from the front to level the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy 2-2. Gill topped the series charts with a remarkable 754 runs, including three centuries and a double hundred.