“It was up to the boys” – Shubman Gill breaks silence after Jadeja, Sundar rejects Stokes’ handshake

The fighting spirit of India was completely shown on the last day of the Manchester test, when Ravindra Jadeja and Washington sundar struck by pressure, helped to force a draw and stood their ground, literally and figuratively, when England tried to end the game early.

Late in the evening session, with India at 386 for 4 and led with 75 points, England captain Ben Stokes walked to the fold with a handshake offer.

But both Indian batters were in the 90s and rejected it politely. What followed was an uncomfortable exchange. Stokes shook his head and walked visibly irritated, while Jadeja remained firm at the fold.

The situation was tense, with a few English players who exchanged words with the Indian all -rounder. But the Indian camp is not shrinking.

Gill supports the batters

After the game ended, India captain Shubman Gill made it clear that there was no confusion about the decision to play.

“It was up to the boys,” Gill said at the presentation. “I thought they were brilliantly, both were in the 90s, and both deserved their centuries.”

Eventually, as soon as Jadeja and Sundar completed their hundreds, the players agreed to shake hands and end the test.

From 0/2 to total resistance

India started their second innings under enormous pressure, behind with 311 runs after England posted a huge 669.

They were 0 for 2 in no time, but Gill and Kl Rahul added a strong 188-run partnership to fight back.

Rahul fell 90 early on day 5 and Gill later followed for 103. But India was not ready.

Jadeja and Sundar took the lead and took an unbroken 203-run position together, not only save the match, but also frustrating England, who wanted to seal the series 3-1.

Instead, they were forced to see India take full control over day 5, with only two wickets that fell over three sessions.

The draw means that England still leads 2-1, but India has the momentum on their way to the last test in the oval. Manchester may not have won, but it has yielded a strong message.