The build-up to the fifth and final Test at The Oval has been charged with more than just cricketing tension after the dramatic fallout of “Handshake‑gate” at Old Trafford. The incident, now dominating conversations around the series, has added a psychological edge to what was already a fiercely contested battle between India and England.
The controversy unfolded on the final day of the fourth Test. With the game meandering towards a draw, England captain Ben Stokes extended a customary handshake to end play early—a traditional gesture signalling mutual agreement. India, however, declined the offer, choosing to continue batting so that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar could complete their personal milestones. Jadeja was nearing a hundred, while Sundar was closing in on a significant score. What might have been a quiet, amicable conclusion to a hard-fought Test instead became a flashpoint.
England’s visible frustration at the refusal lit social media on fire. Cameras caught Stokes exchanging terse words with Indian players, while several teammates gestured in apparent disbelief. The moment immediately split opinion across the cricketing world. Critics in England called India’s decision unsporting, accusing them of prioritizing individual statistics over the spirit of the game. Others, particularly in India, argued the opposite: a Test match lasts until the final ball, and players have every right to fight for milestones earned through grit and perseverance.
The debate went beyond the players to touch on cricket’s traditions. The handshake at the end of a draw is considered a symbolic moment of respect, but as many former cricketers pointed out, it is a courtesy, not a rule. Gautam Gambhir questioned whether England would have accepted a handshake if their own batters were nearing centuries. Former players also noted that the true spirit of the game lies in competing to the end, not conceding prematurely for the sake of optics.
In the days since, Ben Stokes has attempted to diffuse the tension, describing the incident as a “20-minute storm” that shouldn’t overshadow the quality of the series. But the damage, in terms of narrative, has been done. “Handshake‑gate” has created a lingering undercurrent between the teams and added an emotional weight to the finale at The Oval.
For India, the refusal to accept the handshake has become a statement of intent: a refusal to settle, a determination to fight until the last over. For England, it has been framed as a question of sportsmanship and respect for tradition. Both perspectives have valid roots, but together they have turned the deciding Test into more than just a contest of bat and ball.
As the final match progresses, every exchange between players will be scrutinized under the shadow of Old Trafford. The cricket itself will likely determine the series outcome, but “Handshake‑gate” has ensured that pride and perception are just as much at stake as runs and wickets. What began as a small gesture has become a defining storyline, proving once again that in Test cricket, the battle for respect can be as intense as the battle for victory.