“If that’s the case, remove them”: Ex-India cricketer takes a swipe at England's honor boards

The tradition of cricket in England is believed to be iconic, from the hallowed Lord’s balcony to the prestigious honors boards etched with names of those who have scored centuries or taken five-fors on historic grounds. But a new debate has stirred the cricketing world, and a former Indian cricketer isn't one to stay silent. 

Aakash Chopra, the cricketer-turned-commentator, has taken a firm stance on the relevance of these honors boards, especially in light of recent criticism toward Indian batters trying to reach personal milestones during the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. While the English tried forcing the handshakes while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were on their 80s.

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chopra didn’t mince words. He called out the “England formula” that seemed to downplay the significance of centuries, especially when players are batting on the final day of a drawn Test. The criticism seemed to stem from Jadeja and Sundar’s efforts to reach their individual hundreds, moments that some felt were unnecessary or self-serving. 

But for Chopra, this logic simply didn’t hold up. “If you feel these milestones are nonsense, that they have no importance… I didn’t understand this England formula,” he said. Chopra went a step further, challenging the relevance of the honors boards altogether. “If that’s the case, remove them,” he said bluntly. 

"If you are so close to your milestone, and despite that, if they want you not to complete that milestone, is it nonsense that you celebrate so much?” Chopra asked. “It's not written on the honors board whether the hundred came in a winning or losing cause, or in the mandatory overs. Let us know if it is historic or not because you only invented this game," he added.

The frustration is understandable. For Indian players, scoring a century on English soil, especially at a place like Lord’s or Old Trafford, is a career-defining moment. And when players like Jadeja and Sundar, who often come to bat at no. 6 or 7, it’s a huge thing for them to achieve this milestone. As Chopra said, “Let us know if it is historic or not because you only invented this game.”

Amid all these ongoing ‘handshake’ saga, one thing’s for sure that the fifth and final Test at The Oval is going to be memorable. England would be going for a win or a draw while the Indian side must’ve to win in order to level the series 2-2.