The fourth Test at Manchester ended with England’s tactics, and Ben Stokes’ actions, drawing criticism. India, batting in their second innings, faced initial setbacks. However, they rallied strongly, with Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar playing key roles. Jadeja and Sundar scored centuries, leading the match towards a draw.
The Jadeja-Sundar partnership proved decisive, with 203 runs scored with notable composure. As the game neared its end, with approximately 90 minutes remaining, Stokes offered a handshake, seemingly frustrated with the draw. However, Jadeja and Sundar were approaching their personal milestones, which made the Indian team decline the offer.
Stokes’ gesture ignited discussions around the ‘spirit of cricket.’ Sanjay Manjrekar weighed in, questioning Stokes’ approach, suggesting he failed to grasp the larger picture. The stump mic also captured heated on-field exchanges. Manjrekar stated that Stokes acted like a ‘spoiled sport,’ highlighting the English team’s frustration due to the strong performance of the Indian batting lineup.