The recent India vs England 4th Test concluded with a notable controversy, as Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir questioned England captain Ben Stokes’ offer of a draw when two Indian batsmen were close to scoring centuries.
The Heated Draw Offer
During the fourth Test between India and England, a contentious moment arose as the match neared its end. Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were both approaching their respective centuries, batting on 89 and 80.
With about an hour left in play, England captain Ben Stokes approached the umpire with a proposal to call the match a draw. However, Jadeja and Sundar flatly rejected this offer.
India, having started their second innings a substantial 311 runs behind, had worked hard to secure a creditable draw. For the Indian duo, achieving individual milestones after such an effort was clearly paramount.
Gambhir Questions England’s Sportsmanship
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was quick to weigh in on the incident during the post-match press conference. He strongly defended his players’ decision, posing a rhetorical question to the English side.
Gambhir questioned whether England players would have walked off if the roles were reversed and their own batsmen were nearing significant milestones. “If someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, don’t they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off?” Gambhir stated.
“If someone from England side was batting on 90 and 85 and someone had the opportunity to get his first Test 100, wouldn’t you allow him to do it?” He emphasized that the Indian players had “weathered the storm” and deserved to complete their centuries.
Gambhir concluded that it was entirely their right to continue batting, leaving “nothing more to say” if England chose to play differently.
Stokes’ Sarcasm and Justification
Ben Stokes, seemingly irked by the refusal, reportedly made a sarcastic remark to Ravindra Jadeja. “Do you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?” Stokes apparently asked, to which Jadeja simply replied, “I can’t do anything.”
Stokes later explained his reasoning for the draw offer. He stated that he wanted to take the game “as far as we could.” Once a draw seemed inevitable, he wasn’t willing to risk his bowlers, especially given the short turnaround time of just three days before the start of the fifth Test.
His priority was clearly the welfare of his team and managing their workload for the upcoming match.
Jadeja’s Gritty Hundred
Despite the on-field drama and the English skipper’s displeasure, Ravindra Jadeja maintained his composure. India was well within their rights, according to cricket rules, to continue batting.
As if in a subtle mark of protest or simply to make a point, Stokes brought part-time bowler Harry Brook into the attack. Jadeja capitalized on this, hitting Brook for a six to elegantly complete his third Test hundred.
This moment not only secured his personal milestone but also added another layer to the intriguing dynamics of the match.
- Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused Ben Stokes’ offer for an early draw, prioritizing their nearing centuries.
- Gautam Gambhir strongly supported his players, questioning England’s potential actions in a similar scenario.
- Ben Stokes justified his draw offer by citing bowler welfare and the impending fifth Test.
- Jadeja went on to score his hundred, hitting a six off Harry Brook.
This incident highlighted the contrasting approaches to Test match cricket and the fine line between sporting courtesy and individual achievement. It certainly added an extra layer of drama to what was already a closely contested series.
