Sunil Gavaskar Miffed, Calls Out Ben Stokes Over Declaration Strategy

Mumbai, India – Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has voiced his strong disapproval of England’s declaration strategy in the recent fourth Test against India in Manchester, part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Gavaskar, clearly “miffed” by England’s approach, suggested that Indian captain Shubman Gill should directly challenge his English counterpart, Ben Stokes, on the matter.

The Question for Ben Stokes: “Why the 311-Run Lead?”

Gavaskar’s pointed critique stems from England’s decision to continue batting and extend their lead to a massive 311 runs in the fourth Test, rather than declaring earlier. In his view, this move was unnecessary and potentially counterproductive.

“Why did you take a lead of 311? Why were you not happy with a lead of 240? Or 250?” Gavaskar questioned, articulating the query he believes Shubman Gill should pose to Stokes. He further added, “After you [Ben Stokes] got his hundred, why did you not declare and give your bowlers a little extra hour to try and get other wickets?”

Gavaskar’s comments highlight a perceived inconsistency in England’s “Bazball” philosophy, which often advocates for aggressive declarations.

“Bravado” and Double Standards

The former India captain did not mince words, terming England’s actions towards the end of the Manchester Test as mere “bravado” and “loud talk.” He drew a stark contrast between England’s reluctance to declare early when in a dominant position and their previous bold statements during their tour of India, where some English players had confidently claimed they would chase any target, even 600 runs. Gavaskar pointed out that in a prior match where India set a similar target, England ultimately fell short by 336 runs.

Despite his criticism of England, Gavaskar expressed immense pride in the Indian team’s resilient performance, praising them for salvaging a crucial draw under immense pressure in Manchester. His comments have reignited the debate surrounding sportsmanship, tactical declarations, and the true spirit of Test cricket.

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