India vs England, Old Trafford: Ben Stokes refuses to shake hands with Jadeja, Sundar | WATCH

A tense exchange between Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja unfolded following the conclusion of the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford. The friction stemmed from Stokes’ offer to end the match in a draw during the final drinks break on Day 5, with 15 overs remaining. India, however, turned down the proposal as both Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were nearing personal milestones—centuries—which they eventually achieved.

While India was content to let the game play out, Stokes chose not to risk his frontline bowlers, deploying part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root instead. He justified this decision by stating that the result was inevitable by that point and mentioned that Liam Dawson had already bowled extensively and was showing signs of fatigue. Stokes, visibly annoyed, initially refrained from shaking hands with Jadeja and Sundar after the match ended but eventually did so after a brief and seemingly intense conversation with Jadeja.

Stokes, who had an outstanding personal performance in the match—scoring a century and taking five wickets—expressed regret over not being able to secure a win, saying he would trade his individual achievements for the desired team result. He emphasized that, with the match’s outcome effectively decided in the final hour, it was not worth risking injuries to his primary bowlers.

The game had earlier taken a dramatic turn when India lost openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in the very first over. However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill steadied the innings on Day 4, setting the stage for a remarkable 223-run partnership between Sundar and Jadeja. Their gritty resistance ensured India avoided defeat.

Despite the tense moments late in the match, Stokes ultimately praised the Indian duo’s resilience. He acknowledged the challenging nature of the series, lauding India’s continued fight and ability to withstand pressure. He credited Jadeja and Sundar for their calm under pressure and described the contest as a tough, seesaw battle where both teams have exchanged dominance.