‘What’s wrong with modern players? They talk a lot’: Geoffrey Boycott slams Ben Stokes & Co. for lack of sportsmanship

Legendary former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has strongly criticized Ben Stokes and the England team for what he called poor sportsmanship during the final day of the Manchester Test against India. Boycott took issue with Stokes’ decision to offer an early handshake to Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were on the verge of scoring centuries. The offer, made in the final hour of the match after it became clear there would be no result, was declined by the Indian pair, frustrating the England skipper.

In his column for The Telegraph, Boycott emphasized that if he had been in a similar position, he would not have accepted ending his innings on 89 after such a hard-fought effort. He praised both Jadeja and Sundar for their discipline and determination, saying they fully deserved to complete their hundreds for the way they defended and applied themselves under pressure.

Boycott also took aim at England’s bowling performance, noting that the fact Stokes—primarily a batting all-rounder—was the most effective bowler in both innings pointed to larger issues within the bowling attack. He expressed concern that modern players often talk more than they deliver on the field and warned that such attitudes wouldn’t serve them well in high-pressure situations.

Looking ahead to the final Test at The Oval, Boycott suggested that India would carry the psychological advantage, feeling like moral victors after the drawn Test. He concluded by stating that failure, more than success, exposes a team's true weaknesses—something England must address quickly.