Subhechcha Ganguly 
Ben Stokes continues to face backlash over the controversial “handshake-gate” incident during the final day of the fourth Test between India and England at Manchester. While the match itself ended in a draw, the spotlight has firmly remained on England’s decision to call time early — a move that has divided the cricketing world.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has now weighed in on the controversy, throwing his support behind the Indian team’s decision to continue batting despite England’s offer to end the match. Speaking on LiSTNR Sport’s YouTube channel, Haddin praised India’s resilience and criticised England’s premature offer for a draw.
“It’s interesting at the end of that Test match because India were two down for nothing. England thought they were on track for a win. But then came that incredible partnership — Shubman Gill and KL Rahul showed great application,” Haddin said. “As the game progressed, India fought back. Their batters earned the right to continue.”
With five overs left and India in a comfortable position, England skipper Ben Stokes approached the crease offering a handshake — signalling the end of play. However, Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined, both nearing personal milestones. The decision led to a brief on-field exchange between the players but ended with both Jadeja and Sundar scoring their centuries before agreeing to the draw.
Haddin criticized England’s attitude, saying, “Then, all of a sudden, England realised they couldn’t win and wanted to stop. Everything’s got to stop because England are done? I loved what India did — they had every right to stay out there and finish what they started.”
The incident has reignited debates about sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and whether players should prioritize individual milestones or the collective result. While England’s move was seen by some as pragmatic, others viewed it as poor form in a high-stakes contest.
As the dust settles, the ‘handshake-gate’ continues to stir reactions, with Ben Stokes finding himself at the centre of yet another Test match controversy.
