Ben Stokes breaks silence on Handshake controversy; reacts to Gautam Gambhir's fight with Oval Curator

England captain Ben Stokes has spoken for the first time about the handshake incident that sparked debate during the fourth Test of the five-match series at Old Trafford in Manchester. However, Stokes stated that he had no intention of making his bowlers continue in a match that was heading for a draw.

The controversy took place on the final day of the fourth Test. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar rejected Stokes’ offer to end the match early and accept a draw. Jadeja (89) and Sundar (80) decided to continue batting. Stokes was frustrated by their decision, which added to the drama in the situation.

Do You Want to Score a Hundred Against Harry Brook? - Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, along with teammates Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, and others, faced criticism for alleged gamesmanship. Critics stated that the Indian players were well within their rights to continue batting. Crawley and Ben Duckett were also seen questioning India’s decision to play on.

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Notably, Stokes handed the ball to part-time spinners Harry Brook and Joe Root after India’s refusal. Jadeja and Washington reached their centuries before eventually shaking hands with the England team.

"Do you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?" Stokes asked sarcastically, and all Jadeja said was, "I can't do anything."

Ben Stokes Breaks Silence on 'Handshake' Controversy in Manchester Test

Ben Stokes, who will miss the final Test due to injury, defended his decision to offer an early handshake. He mentioned that he had no intention of using his frontline bowlers. Stokes urged everyone to move on from the brief incident, adding that the focus should remain on the series.

“No regrets. When you’re not in the field for 250 overs, you gain some understanding of both sides. Jadeja and Washington played incredibly well up to that point, and I understand why they wanted to stay out there for their hundreds," Stokes told reporters on the eve of the Oval Test.

“As I said at the end of the game: fair enough. I wasn’t going to bowl my bowlers in a situation where we couldn’t win and risk injuries. India and we are both past it. Let’s not focus too much on a 20-minute period in what’s been a great series," he added.

Ben Stokes Opens Up on Pitch Controversy Involving Gautam Gambhir

The final Test between India and England is set to begin on Thursday, July 31, at The Oval, with England leading the five-match series 2-1. While the hosts aim to clinch the series, India will be looking to level it.

Ahead of the decider, a controversy took place involving India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis. During a pitch inspection, Fortis reportedly asked Gambhir to step away from the surface, leading to a heated exchange between the two.

The confrontation was caught on camera and quickly went viral across social media. When asked about the incident, Ben Stokes stated that he wasn’t present at the time and couldn’t comment on what had occurred.

"I don’t know, I wasn’t here," Stokes on pitch controversy.

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