The final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford didn’t end with fireworks or wickets, but with a handshake… or rather, a non-handshake. Yes, we’re talking about England’s handshake controversy that’s had cricket fans, pundits, and even casual viewers debating the “spirit of the game” for days. What was meant to be a quiet close to a draw turned into one of the most talked-about endings in recent Test history.

What Really Happened at Old Trafford?

With 15 overs left in the match and the result seemingly heading toward a draw, England skipper Ben Stokes approached Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to offer a truce. The Indian duo, however, politely declined. Why? Because they were sitting pretty on 89 and 80 runs, eyeing their well-deserved centuries. Instead of shaking hands early, they chose to bat on, and oh boy, the English team didn’t take it too well.

Soon after, England brought in part-timers like Harry Brook to speed things along, but India stood firm. By the time the game finally ended in a draw, the atmosphere was anything but friendly. And thus, England’s handshake controversy was born.

England or India：Who Was in the Right?

From India’s side, the move made perfect sense. After all, Ravindra Jadeja has been a consistent performer, and Washington Sundar was chasing his maiden Test hundred. After spending hours grinding it out on a tough pitch, why should they not be allowed to chase personal milestones? Plus, let’s not forget, England had dominated most of the game. Denying India this moment felt a bit harsh.

CENTURY for Ravindra Jadeja in Manchester! 💯

An excellent knock from the #TeamIndia all-rounder 🫡

He gets to his 2nd Test Hundred in England and 5th Test Hundred Overall 🙌

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/L1EVgGu4SI#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/McYaSmBPk4

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2025

MAIDEN TEST HUNDRED for Washington Sundar! 🔥

What a way to bring up your first ever century in Test Cricket 👏👏

A knock to remember 🙌

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/L1EVgGtx3a#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @Sundarwashi5 pic.twitter.com/YQ2bwZat4K

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2025

On the other hand, England felt slighted. They saw India as dragging the game just for stats. Stokes’ frustration boiled over when he sarcastically commented about scoring centuries off part-timers like Brook and Duckett. But critics quickly pointed out the irony: a team that coined “Bazball” was suddenly advocating for an early draw? Hmm. In the end, while England’s handshake controversy stirred emotions, most neutrals agreed that India had done nothing wrong. If anything, they just played smart, and a bit stubborn. That’s Test cricket.

Special comeback 👏

Resolute batting performance ✨

An incredible effort from #TeamIndia batters in the 2nd innings in Manchester 🙌 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/OsEXhghmV6

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2025

Jadeja and Sundar’s Glorious Stand

Despite the drama, the final day produced something beautiful: a record-breaking, unbeaten 203-run stand between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Here’s a quick look at what they achieved:

Not only did they deny England a win, but they also etched their names in the record books, surpassing the legendary Tendulkar-Azharuddin stand from 1990. Their partnership wasn’t just defiance; it was history in motion.

Highest Partnership for India at Old Trafford

Who’ll Retain Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy If Series Ends in a Draw?

With the series scoreline reading 2-1, England has the edge heading into the final Test at The Oval. But here’s the spicy bit: if India wins the last match, the series ends 2-2. So, who gets the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy winner title in that case?

Well, by traditional rules, the trophy would stay with the team that won the last series, which was England back in 2018. That would make them the default Anderson Tendulkar Trophy winner, even in a drawn series. But hold on, this is the first-ever edition of this newly-named trophy. Could they share it? Possibly. But as of now, there’s been no official word from the BCCI or ECB. Either way, the stage is set.

Final Thoughts

So, was England’s handshake controversy about sportsmanship? Ego? Or just two batters refusing to be denied their moment? Whatever side you’re on, one thing’s clear, Test cricket is alive and well, full of drama, grit, and yes, even a little pettiness.

The final moments of the Manchester Test. 😂pic.twitter.com/156P9ozGp8

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 29, 2025

And as the cricketing world gears up for the final showdown, fans will not only remember who the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy winner is. They’ll remember that two calm warriors, Jadeja and Sundar, chose milestones over meaningless handshakes and rewrote history in the process.

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ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test of the India tour of England series on 07/23 at 03:30 PM IST