'Sitting In Your Lounge Watching...': Kevin Pietersen Backs Ben Stokes' Draw Demand
Kevin Pietersen has backed Ben Stokes' call for an early draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, defending his frustration after two days of fielding without a result.
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has backed compatriot and Test captain Ben Stokes over the latter's demand to call for an early draw, saying that having fielded for two days and with no result in sight, he wasn't wrong to ask for a draw and the ones sitting in their lounges shouldn't be judging him.
Drama unfolded in the high-intensity Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Manchester on Sunday, July 27, after Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused Stokes' offer to call off the fourth Test and settle for a draw before the beginning of the final hour of play.
There is a provision that permits both skippers to shake hands and agree to a draw if they feel that the possibility of a result is impossible, but with Jadeja and Sundar approaching their centuries, they were in no mood to back down.
'2 days fielding and no result on the cards, you WANT to get off the field! You cannot have a pop at Ben Stokes for his frustration. Very easy to have a pop at him when you're sitting in your lounge watching. You're NOT in the battle. Leave the men in the ring to be emotional," Pietersen tweeted on Monday afternoon.
Having worked hard to earn a creditable draw, Jadeja and Washington, batting on 89 and 80, refused Stokes' offer after he had approached the umpire, which irked Stokes no end.
Pietersen, while backing Stokes, also lauded Jadeja and Sundar's efforts, who batted for two sessions to save the game.
'And the Stokes issue should NOT distract from the batters who batted to save the Test! Outstanding effort and one which makes The Oval a v v important Test," Pietersen tweeted.
And the Stokes issue should NOT distract from the batters who batted to save the Test Match! Outstanding effort and one which makes The Oval a v v important Test.— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 28, 2025
With both approaching their centuries after having saved the game for India, who began their second innings 311 runs in arrears, Jadeja and Washington exercised their rights to continue batting.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill backed the decision to carry on batting.
'If someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, don't they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off if someone from England's side had been batting on 90 or 85," Gambhir questioned at the post-match press conference.
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