As the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy reaches its climax, the fourth Test between India and England in Manchester ended with unexpected drama. India pulled off a hard-fought draw, denying England a win despite being on the back foot for most of the game. The final day saw impressive centuries from Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja, with KL Rahul missing his by just 10 runs.
However, it wasn’t just the cricket that grabbed headlines. England captain Ben Stokes expressed his discontent after Indian batters Sundar and Jadeja chose to complete their centuries before agreeing to call off the match. Stokes’ comments, perceived by many as unsportsmanlike, drew sharp criticism—including from former India cricketer WV Raman.
🔥 WV Raman: “Why Are You Even Surprised?”
Raman didn’t hold back when asked about Stokes’ reaction. “We’ve always seen English cricketers whine and whinge. So why are you even surprised?” he said. Raman dismissed England’s claims of resting bowlers as “illogical,” pointing out that Brydon Carse bowled only 17 overs out of 144.
He argued that Jadeja’s century came after navigating England’s top bowlers, not just part-timers like Harry Brook and Joe Root. “He’s not getting a 100 against Brook; he’s got a 100 against England,” Raman emphasized.
🏏 Sundar’s Rise, Bumrah’s Fitness, and Kuldeep’s Case
In a wide-ranging conversation with Hindustan Times, Raman also discussed:
- Washington Sundar’s promotion in the batting order, crediting his temperament and technique.
- Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion at The Oval, citing his wicket-taking ability and favorable dry conditions.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, urging caution to avoid overburdening the returning pacer.
- Anshul Kamboj’s debut, which he called unfortunate due to flat pitch conditions.
Raman added that while it would be understandable for the team to make tactical changes, it shouldn’t reflect poorly on players like Kamboj.
⚔️ Eyes on The Oval
With the series on the line and India having fought back with remarkable determination, the fifth and final Test at The Oval promises high stakes and high drama. Raman remains optimistic: “India does have a good chance of levelling the series, and levelling the series would be fantastic.”
