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"Onion Has Many...": Dale Steyn Pitches 'Gentlemanly' Debate After Stokes-Jadeja Saga

Soumyajit Dutta

Dale Steyn on Ben Stokes' and Jadeja's handshake saga [Source: @sireetu/X.com]Dale Steyn on Ben Stokes' and Jadeja's handshake saga [Source: @sireetu/X.com]

Ben Stokes' attempt to shake hands and concede a draw an hour early on the final day at Old Trafford backfired dramatically. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, batting resiliently to save the Test for India and nearing personal centuries, declined the England captain's offer. 

The incident sharply divided the cricket world. While some supported India's right to play on, others questioned the sportsmanship of prioritising individual achievements once the team result was secured. The South African cricketers also hopped in the discussion to share their view.

Dale Steyn Questions Timing While Replying To Shamsi

South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi strongly defended the Indian pair's decision while backing them for their personal milestones.

“Why is there such a big deal being made about the Indians choosing not to accept the offer to end the game in a draw immediately? The offer was made..the offer was rejected n they were fully entitled to make their choice. They got their 100s which they worked hard for. Game over," Shamsi posted on his official X handle.

However, fast bowling legend Dale Steyn offered a contrasting perspective, suggesting the "gentlemanly" action would have been to accept the draw once secured.

“Shamo (Shamsi) this onion has many layers to it, and each one will make someone cry. The only issue I see here is the one thing people aren’t realizing, the batters weren’t playing for 100s, they were batting for a DRAW. That was the goal," Steyn wrote on his official X handle.

Steyn Peels The Layers Of The Onion

While explaining the situation of the game, Steyn termed it 'weird'. He batted for the milestones but also insisted that they could have been achieved a bit faster.

“Draw the game. Once that was accomplished, and a result was out of the question a handshake was offered, that’s the gentlemanly thing to do right? It’s not then the time to realize they safe and now say no we’d prefer some free milestones… although within the rules, just seems a little, well, odd. That said, they did bat well, and maybe with the last hour approaching they should have been more aggressive in reaching those milestones, at least then, we could all agree, no team tried to out do the other in this weird situation," Steyn added.

Draw Keeps Series Alive

Meanwhile, the defiant stand by Jadeja and Sundar capped a remarkable Indian fightback. After conceding a massive 311-run first-innings deficit following England's towering 669, India faced potential defeat. 

Crucial partnerships, first between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill (188 runs), and then the unbroken 203-run stand by Jadeja and Sundar, salvaged a crucial draw. The result leaves the series finely poised at 2-1 in England's favour heading into the decisive fifth and final Test at Kennington Oval, starting July 31.