Even the worst fans of England would try to justify what has developed in the last few minutes of the Manchester test. The graspable, hard fighting competition – which deserved to honestly end up in the draw, even in the era of Bazball – it was somewhat acidic unnecessary verbal strokes focused on two Indian doughs that were within reach of well -earned centuries.
First, a little context for those in India who soon took place and feared the collapse of the finals: your team withdrew a heroic draw. After Shaubman Gill was released at exactly 100 to strike lunch, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadej joined their strength to deny England the victory of the series.
Together they added 202 runs, launched to 45.2 overs without losing the goal over the last two sessions. The duo presented patience, gravel and peace, the probes of Sunda’s spells by Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes and of course the English Talisman – Ben Stokes. They also saw the spinner of the left shoulder of Liam Dawson, who abused the harsh outside the palm to try to break through.
ENG vs Indian, 4. Test day 5: The most important
Before the last hour began, Jadeja and Sundar took India to safety. With Jadeja to 89 and Sundar at 80 – 11 and 20 runs since its hundreds – the draw was closed. But there was time for the lessons, and the milestones were chasing.
Stokes’ claim
At that time, England Captain Ben Stokes proceeded to the referees and said he was ready to offer a draw and end the test an hour earlier. According to the laws of the game, if both teams agree that the result is no longer possible in the last hour, they can call a draw.
India was only four goals down and took the 75-running lead. Stokes felt that England had no chance to force the result.
Stokes just had a reason to be careful. Later he explained that his decision was motivated by concerns about his revised bowling attack, especially with the final of the series in the oval only three days away. England bowed 257.1 overs in the match. Stokes himself carried Niggles and issued a heavy working load. In the meantime, Archer seemed to fight during his last spell on day 5.
“They played incredibly well and got until there was apparently only one result, and there was absolutely no chance of risking any of my big quick pitchmakers through an injury with one other game. Dawsy just bowed so much exceeding his body.
Stokes’ drama
Stokes was well proposed by timely draws within his rights. But what followed left a sour taste. When Jadeja and Sundar refused the offer and signaled their intention to burn, Stokes was visibly dissatisfied. He did not believe his head and then approached Jadej with a note about Snide:
“Jada, do you want to make hundreds against Harry Brook and Joe Root?”
This line didn’t fit well – and right. Did Stokes forget that these two doughs fought for teeth and nails on two sessions, faced the best England? They earned every run.
Another English player, he rose on the stump microphone, said, “If you wanted 100, you should burn earlier.”
Jadeja did not bite at his credit. He stayed calm and continued.
Sunil Gavascar, who commented at that time, was visibly upset. Indian legend called English behavior, encouraged Jadeja and Sundar to burst for the last hour and make the opposition further. His attitude was clear: if the milestones could be achieved without violating the spirit of the game or threatening the team’s outcome, why not follow them?
Sanjay Manjrekar, another former India International, was more blunt when evaluating the stokes.
“One thing is unfortunate that the dough has not left and that they must mix their redesigned main pitch.
“I understand that he is surprised by the India who wants to continue.” If you wanted to get a hundred, why didn’t you get it against the mainstaters? “That was his complaint.
“Ben Stokes, the hero and the champion I admire, behaved on this occasion as a corrupt child.”
Ugly from the stream?
Meanwhile, Harry Brook threw the ball to mix what was basically 60 km / h, and made a mockery situation. Jadeja sent them joyfully to the border and raised hundreds of six from the stream. Two overs later, Washington Sundar reached his first test century – a moment of quiet joy and pride.
Only then did India agree to shake her hands.
Do you hunger India?
Stokes later insisted that he did not think that another 10 or 15 runs would change the value of what Sundar and Jadeja did for their team.
“And I don’t think there is too much more satisfaction from leaving 100, not out, getting your team out of the difficult situation than leaving at 80 or 90, not outdoors. That’s what you did for your team. Another 10 runs or anything that wasn’t, the fact that the team managed to get a very difficult situation.
Former English dough Jonathan Trott also came to Stokes’ defense, suggesting that if the roles reversed, England would leave and not exclude personal monuments.
But that is missing.
It was not about the persecution of individual milestones at the expense of the team’s interest. India left, the draw was safe and was as part of its rights to continue. Keeping English pitch in the park longer – especially with a short turn before the oval test – it had a strategic sense.
How did Gavascar say, why not let them work harder?
Chief coach of India Gautam Gambhir clearly said that:
“If someone burns at 90 and the other burns at 85, does they deserve a hundred? Would they leave if someone on the English side detonated 90 or 85?”
“If someone has the opportunity to get the first test of hundreds, you will not allow him to do it? Weathe storm. It’s up to them.”
“If they want to play this way, it’s up to them. I have nothing more to say. I think both these boys deserved a hundred, and fortunately they got it.”
In the end, Stokes was entitled to apply for a draw. But his behavior after India refused – disheveled, kicks, theater – did not give him any kindness. It is part of what the test cricket does: perseverance, honor and sometimes humility.
– ends
Published:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
28th July 2025
Tune
