Stokes' Handshake Snub of Indian Batsmen Sparks Debate After Test Draw: Karthik and Vaughan Weigh In

Following the drawn fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a delayed handshake controversy ignited discussions, overshadowing India's remarkable fightback against England at Old Trafford.

England captain Ben Stokes speaks with Ravindra Jadeja in Manchester. (Getty Images)

India, recovering from a precarious 0/2 in their second innings, reached 425/4 on Day 5, with Ravindra Jadeja (107) and Washington Sundar (101) scoring centuries. Their efforts not only salvaged the Test but also gave India dominance on the final day.

However, the talking point emerged when Jadeja and Sundar declined Ben Stokes' offer to call off the match early, an hour before the scheduled end. This decision seemed to have irritated the English captain, who responded with a sarcastic remark about Sundar reaching his century against Harry Brook.

This incident didn't sit well with former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik. During a post-match discussion with Michael Vaughan on Cricbuzz, Karthik questioned the English team's approach, referencing previous instances where they seemed hesitant to continue play.

Vaughan, while acknowledging the situation, took a more balanced view. He stated that had he been in India's position, he would have acted similarly, emphasizing the hard-fought nature of the day's play.

Karthik further highlighted India's comeback, noting their recovery from a difficult position at lunch to a dominant finish, praising the contributions of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Jadeja, and Washington.

Vaughan concurred, stating that England wouldn't have acted differently if one of their young players was nearing a century. He humorously suggested that Harry Brook might need to improve his off-spin bowling.

With the series standing at 2-1 in England's favor, all eyes are now on the Oval. The drama surrounding the handshake and India’s tenacious resistance has undoubtedly intensified the anticipation for the series finale.