.png)
India’s fightback against England in the recent Test match turned into a controversial spectacle when Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja chose to pursue their personal centuries instead of accepting a draw offer from Ben Stokes.
What Happened?
As India avoided a near-certain defeat, Ben Stokes offered to end the match in a draw with 15 overs remaining. However, India’s batsmen refused, wanting both Sundar (20 runs short) and Jadeja (11 runs short) to reach their hundreds.
This decision sparked debate:
-
Critics: Said it prioritised personal records over team strategy.
-
Supporters: Felt it was a deserved reward after saving the match from a likely loss.
Post-Match Tension: Stokes vs Jadeja
After the match, Ben Stokes refused to shake hands with both Sundar and Jadeja, visibly upset. Cameras caught a tense exchange between Stokes and Jadeja, fueling speculation of a heated argument.
Flat Pitch Drama
England prepared a flat pitch, likely to neutralize India’s world-class bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, who conceded 100 runs for the first time in a Test innings. However, England’s bowlers also struggled:
-
Woakes: 23 overs, 2 wickets.
-
Archer: 23 overs, 1 wicket.
-
England overall: 143 overs, 425 runs conceded, just 4 wickets taken.
Series Decider Awaits
With this draw, India keeps the series alive heading into the final Test at Lord’s. A win there would level the series, turning this comeback into a remarkable turnaround.
