ENG vs IND 2025 Dale Steyn: ‘Draw was the target, not a century’ – Steyn criticises Jadeja and Sundar
Dale Steyn questioned the intent of Jadeja and Sundar.
Dale Steyn: Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has given his opinion on the handshake controversy in the last hour of the Manchester Test between India and England. He defended Ben Stokes and questioned the decision of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to chase their respective “personal milestones” when at that time no result was possible in the match other than a draw. Thanks to the unbeaten partnership of Jadeja and Sundar, India escaped defeat and the match ended in a draw.
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After being reduced to 0/2 initially in the second innings, the Indian team, which came under pressure, made a strong comeback on the fourth day with the important partnership of KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, which gave a good platform to Jadeja and Sundar. After this, both of them made a brilliant unbeaten partnership of 203 runs, due to which India kept the series alive by drawing the match.
Dale Steyn was responding to Shamsi’s post
Why is there such a big deal being made about the Indians choosing not to accept the offer to end the game in a draw immediately?
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) July 28, 2025
The offer was made..the offer was rejected n they were fully entitled to make their choice
They got their 100s which they worked hard for
Game over
Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi wrote on X, “Why is such a big fuss being made about the Indians not accepting the offer to end the game immediately in a draw? The offer was made. The offer was rejected, and they had every right to make their own decision. They got their centuries, which they had worked hard for. Game over.”
Steyn, while acknowledging the right of the Indian batsmen to achieve their personal milestones, questioned their decision given the situation of the match. “It was not the time when they knew a draw was possible, but it was the time to achieve a personal milestone of free,” he wrote in response to veteran South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi’s comment on ‘X’. The batsmen were not playing for a century, but for a draw. That was the goal. To draw the match,” he said.
Steyn stressed the importance of sportsmanship in cricket, saying that shaking hands after a draw would have been gentlemanly behavior. He said, “That was the goal. To draw the match. When that was done and a result was no longer likely, a handshake was offered.” The final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy begins at The Oval on Thursday, with England leading India 2-1.
