“It just happens in any sport, doesn’t it?” - Washington Sundar opens up on handshake controversy

Team India all-rounder Washington Sundar has opened up on the controversial handshake drama involving England skipper Ben Stokes in the Manchester Test in the just-concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Sundar and another all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, were at the crease during the dying moments of Day 5 and were eyeing to end the game in a draw after scoring their respective centuries. However, Stokes wanted to end the game with 15 overs left on Day 5 and invited the batting duo for a handshake.

However, Sundar and Jadeja, who were then batting in their 80s, rejected the request and went on to continue batting, which didn’t go down well with Stokes. A few overs later, the duo completed their centuries and then went ahead with the handshake.

"I mean, it just happens in any sport, doesn't it? We've seen a lot of such things happen, not just in cricket, but in any sport. I mean, that's how sport is. It brings out a lot. I think it was just an experience for all of us, honestly," Sundar told Wisden.

Moreover, Sundar also admitted that the handshake controversy helped the Indian team to fire up and draw the series 2-2 in the Oval Test. Notably, India bagged a six-run narrow win at the Oval to draw the series 2-2.

"One hundred per cent. You ask this to any player - that's exactly what you would hear. Especially in Test cricket, you want to be challenged because that's exactly what you expect every single day. And when the situation gets tough, the only thing that will help you get over it and come out successful is being really tough in your head," he added.

Notably, new Indian Test captain, Shubman Gill, accumulated 754 runs from 10 innings to end the series as the leading run-scorer, while Mohammed Siraj, who scalped 23 wickets, was the leading wicket-taker.

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