Washington Sundar scored his maiden Test century during the Manchester Test. Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has finally spoken out about the handshake controversy with England’s Ben Stokes during the fourth Test of the 2025 Anderson-Gavaskar Trophy at Old Trafford. In that match, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja played crucial roles, both scoring centuries to help India secure a draw.
After England posted a 311-run lead in their first innings, they were unable to dismiss India in the second innings. On the fifth day, Washington Sundar and Jadeja remained unbeaten, forging an unbroken 203-run partnership and guiding India to 425/4.
As both approached their centuries in the final session, Stokes offered a handshake to end the game, but Washington Sundar and Jadeja declined, choosing to continue their innings. This led to a tense exchange of words on the field. Eventually, the pair agreed to conclude the match after reaching their milestones. Stokes’ conduct during the incident faced criticism from former cricketers and cricket commentators alike.
Washington Sundar Reflects on Manchester Test Handshake Controversy
In an interview with Wisden, Washington Sundar opened up about the handshake controversy during the Manchester Test. He described such incidents as part of the sporting experience, noting that moments like these often fuel players’ determination. Sundar added that the episode motivated the Indian team, who later outperformed the hosts in the final match of the series.
“I mean, it just happens in any sport, doesn’t it? We’ve seen similar situations not only in cricket but across all sports. That’s the nature of competition—it tests you and brings out a lot. Honestly, it was an experience for all of us,” Sundar said.
He further emphasized the mental toughness required in Test cricket: “Ask any player, and they’ll say the same. In Test cricket, you want to be challenged. When situations get tough, the only way to overcome them and succeed is by being really strong mentally.”
Sundar showcased an impressive all-round performance during the series, scoring 284 runs at an average of 47.33 and claiming seven wickets in four matches, including a century and a half-century.
The five-match series concluded in a 2-2 draw, highlighted by India’s remarkable comeback in the fifth Test at The Oval. Shubman Gill & Co. defeated England by six runs, successfully defending a challenging 374-run target in a thrilling finale.
