IND vs ENG: Ben Stokes offers handshake to draw 4th Test; but India say no - what really happened?
In a rare and slightly awkward moment on the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, England captain Ben Stokes extended a handshake to signal a mutual agreement to draw the match on Sunday.
But to his visible surprise, the Indian batters,
Ravindra Jadeja
and Washington Sundar, declined.
With India at 386/4 after 138 overs, and leading by 75 runs, the match was meandering toward an inevitable draw.
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England's bowlers were visibly fatigued. That's when Stokes, looking to wrap things up and perhaps save some energy for the final Test in just three days, walked up to the batters during a break and offered the traditional gesture to end the game.
But Jadeja and Sundar had other ideas.
Jadeja was on 89 not out, Sundar on 80 not out. Both were nearing personal milestones, centuries that would have added sparkle to an already gutsy Indian fightback.
With India having battled from 0/2 on Day 4 to complete dominance, the two lower-order all-rounders saw no harm in batting on, especially with no real threat from the England bowling at that point.
Poll
Do you believe the Indian batters made the right call by continuing to bat?
Absolutely, they were on the verge of centuries
Not really, they could have ended it respectfully
Yes, they were in control of the match
No, it was unnecessary prolongation of the match
Stokes, caught off guard, was seen shaking his head and walking back bemused as India declined the gentleman's draw.
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Undo
His reaction hinted at frustration, not anger, but perhaps disbelief, as the game dragged into what he felt was unnecessary territory.
Drinks were called immediately after, but by then, the story had written itself. In a game known for its spirit and sportsmanship, India's decision to keep batting wasn't unsporting; it was assertive.
Milestones mattered, and so did wearing England down ahead of the crucial fifth Test. In the end, the handshake would wait.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match
here.
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