Jadeja and Sundar ignored Harry Brook’s handshake, and the whole thing quickly blew up on social media. This strange moment happened after a long and tense final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. India had just avoided defeat, thanks to brilliant centuries by both Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
At the start of Day 5, India was still far behind. They needed over 300 runs just to draw the match. However, things soon turned around. Shubman Gill scored a confident century. KL Rahul contributed significantly with a solid half-century, but it was Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar who truly turned the tide of the game. They batted with great patience. Ball by ball, they frustrated the England bowlers. As the partnership grew, England started to lose hope of winning the match.
With about 15 overs left in the match, England captain Ben Stokes walked up and offered a handshake. This is usually done to end the match early as a draw. However, Jadeja and Sundar were still batting in the 90s. So, they refused the handshake. They wanted to finish their hundreds first.
Because of this, England made a surprising move. They handed the ball over to Harry Brook, who usually bowls part-time. He bowled very slow and easy deliveries. Many fans felt this was not in the spirit of the game.
Meanwhile, England’s fielders expressed frustration. Some taunts echoed. “Just shake your hand,” one England player said. Another asked, “How long do you need?” And Stokes reportedly quipped, “You want to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?” Jadeja responded internally: “What do you want me to do, just walk off?”
Soon after Jadeja reached his century, Harry Brook came near him and offered a handshake again. But this time, something unexpected happened. Jadeja and Sundar completely ignored him. They were busy celebrating. Brook stood there awkwardly with his hand out. He looked confused and disappointed. This moment caught on camera. It quickly spread across social media.
Many fans were surprised. Some thought it was rude. Others believed the players were simply focused on their personal goals. After a few more overs, Washington Sundar celebrated reaching his century, marking his first in Test cricket. Eventually, both teams decided to wrap up the match. Players shook hands, and the Test ended in a draw.
After the match, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir supported the players. He said it’s every batter’s right to go for a hundred. He also said the team showed great character to fight back and save the match.
Fans had mixed reactions. Some praised Jadeja and Sundar for staying focused. Others felt they should have accepted the handshake earlier. Cricket experts like Nasser Hussain also said England could have handled the situation better.
To sum it up, Jadeja and Sundar ignored Harry Brook’s handshake in a moment that sparked debate across the cricket world. Was it poor sportsmanship or just pure focus? Either way, this moment will always remembered for a long time.
