“Did Not Want” – Ben Stokes reveals why he offered Draw to India when Jadeja, Sundar approaches

The fourth test between India and England in Old Trafford ended in a draw, but not before a heated moment in which English captain Ben Stokes and Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were involved.

With both players in the 90s, and the match on their way to a certain draw, Stokes approached them and asked if they would agree to call out the game early. The answer was no.

When the match entered its last half hour, Stokes walked to the referees and the two batters and asked for an early end. India, however, decided to catch on. Both Jadeja and Sundar chased personal milestones, and they came there.

Stokes, clearly unhappy, turned to Jadeja and said: “Do you want to get a hundred against Harry Brook?” Shortly thereafter, the Front-Line Bowlers from England were equipped. Part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root were brought in to bow the remaining overs.

Stokes explains the movement

Speaking after the game, Stokes explained his thinking. He said that the game had only one result, a draw, and he did not want to run the risk of overtime his bowlers for the last test in the oval.

“I think that all the hard work was done by India. They both played incredibly well,” Stokes said during the presentation after the game. “There was absolutely no chance that I would risk one of my big fast bowlers to go with another game.”

He also said that Spinner Liam Dawson had chosen a tough spell and started cramping.

“His body started to get tired, so I risked none of my front-line bowlers for the last half hour,” he added.

Jadeja and Sundar’s effort saves the day

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were the stars of the last session. The duo sewed an unbeaten 203-run stand for the fifth Wicket.

Sundar raised his first test century, while Jadeja scored his first ton of the series. Shubman Gill had previously scored his fourth century of the series, while Kl Rahul missed one for false for 90.

England still leads the Anderson-Detulkar trophy 2-1, but the resistance of India in Manchester means that everything is now on the line on the way to the last test in the oval.

“You have to give them a lot of praise,” Stokes said. “They were under pressure and played very well.”