The fourth Test at Manchester ended with England facing scrutiny for their on-field actions, especially those of captain Ben Stokes. India’s second innings saw early wickets, but a strong response from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar shifted the momentum, with Jadeja and Sundar hitting centuries and steering the match towards a draw.
The Jadeja-Sundar duo’s composed batting and their 203-run partnership were key. With the game nearing its conclusion, Stokes, seemingly resigned to a draw, offered a handshake to the Indian side. However, with Jadeja and Sundar close to individual milestones, India declined the offer.
This led to visible frustration from Stokes, reigniting discussions about the ‘spirit of cricket.’ Sanjay Manjrekar, a commentator, criticized Stokes, saying he failed to see the larger context. The stump mic also revealed the tense on-field conversations. Manjrekar stated that Stokes acted like a ‘spoiled sport,’ acknowledging the frustration of England because of the resilience of the Indian batting lineup. He also added that Stokes was unlikely to make the same offer if his own players were in a similar situation.