
Team India managed to keep their cool and eked out a draw in the fourth Test against England that concluded in Manchester on July 27, 2025. India had ended day 4 on 174/2, having lost two wickets in the first over itself.
However, thanks to amazing spirit and batting talent by KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, India managed to claw back into the game. KL Rahul fell for 90 runs to Ben Stokes after adding 188 runs for the fourth wicket. Shubman Gill went on to make 103 runs, his fourth century in this series, and also went past 700 runs.
However, Jofra Archer dismissed him and opened the door for England to sneak in. But then Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja got together and made life frustrating for England captain Ben Stokes and bowlers.
They added 203* runs for the fifth wicket as India ended the match on 425/4. Ravindra Jadeja hit 107* with 13 fours and 1 six, and Sundar hit his maiden Test ton, scoring 101* with 9 fours and 1 six to his name.
On the last day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, England captain Ben Stokes shook hands with his team to indicate a mutual agreement to draw the game on Sunday. It was a rare and somewhat embarrassing moment. However, he was visibly shocked when Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, two Indian batters, declined.
The match was veering toward a likely draw, with India ahead by 75 runs at 386/4 after 138 overs.
At that point, Stokes approached the batsmen during a break and made the customary motion to finish the game in an attempt to wrap things up and possibly save some energy for the final Test in just three days. Sundar and Jadeja, however, had other plans. Sundar was on 80 not out, while Jadeja was on 89 not out.
Since the England bowling at that time posed no serious threat, the two lower-order all-rounders saw no harm in continuing to bat. When India turned down the gentleman's draw, Stokes was taken aback and was seen walking back in confusion while shaking his head.
The way the game dragged into what he thought was a superfluous area made him react in a way that suggested irritation rather than fury.
Stokes was left baffled and even asked Jadeja whether he would like his century to come against Harry Brook or Ben Duckett. Jadeja stated that he couldn’t do anything unless his captain signaled and played on.
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The whole situation left Ben Stokes fuming, and Harry Brook bowled full tosses to let Jadeja and Sundar get their centuries. Soon after, they shook hands, and the match ended in a draw.
Later, videos show that Harry Brook was ignored as Jadeja celebrates his century and Ben Stokes refused to shake hands with the two Indian batters.
India's decision to continue batting was bold rather than unsporting in a game that is renowned for its energy and sportsmanship. Both reaching milestones and wearing out England before the pivotal fifth Test were important.
