The Old Trafford Controversy
The fourth Test at Old Trafford took an unexpected turn when England captain Ben Stokes offered to end the match early with a handshake — despite Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja (89*) and Washington Sundar (80*) being on the verge of maiden Test centuries.
India declined the offer, choosing to bat on. Both Jadeja and Sundar went on to complete their well-deserved hundreds, a decision that divided opinions but largely drew support from the cricketing community.
Ashwin’s Strong Response
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Indian spinner R Ashwin called out England’s behavior as a case of “double standards.”
“They bowled all day, our players batted through the grind, and just when they were nearing personal milestones, England wanted to walk off? That’s not how the game works,” Ashwin said.
He acknowledged that England had the option to rest their main bowlers, but criticized their choice to bring in part-timer Harry Brook and then mock India’s batters for scoring against him.
“Whether it’s Harry Brook or a frontline bowler, a Test century is earned — it’s never handed out,” Ashwin added.
Support from the Cricket World
Several former players and commentators backed India’s decision to continue batting:
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Brad Haddin (Australia) – “You can’t stop the game just because it’s not going your way. India had every right to play on — they were well within the rules.”
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Alastair Cook (England) – Believed continuing to bat would give India valuable momentum before the final Test.
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Nasser Hussain (England) – Criticized Stokes’ use of part-time bowlers after the handshake offer, calling it “silly,” and added, “The players had worked hard for their centuries. England’s frustration isn’t India’s fault.”
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
The incident highlighted contrasting interpretations of sportsmanship. England appeared eager to close the game, while India chose to honor the effort of its batters and the competitive nature of Test cricket.
It became a moment not just about runs and milestones, but about respecting the grind and playing the game to its full measure.
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