BY: Tarunima Singh
NEW DELHI: Tensions flared on the final day of the fourth Test between India and England as an unexpected drama unfolded in the final hour of play. England captain Ben Stokes offered a premature handshake to end the match in a draw, but Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja (on 89) and Washington Sundar (on 80) declined the offer, choosing instead to pursue their well-earned Test centuries. The move left the English captain visibly frustrated — and ignited a strong response from Ravichandran Ashwin, who called out England’s “double standards.”
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Ashwin, known for his candid takes, took to his YouTube channel to criticize the hosts.
“Have you heard the term double standards?” Ashwin asked. “They batted you out all day and played every bowler you had. Now, when they’re close to scoring a century, you want to walk off? Why should they leave those hundreds behind?”
India officially declared the match drawn only after both Jadeja and Washington reached their respective milestones, with Washington celebrating his maiden Test hundred.
Explaining England’s handshake offer, Stokes said he didn’t want to risk injury to his overworked frontline bowlers. But Ashwin wasn’t convinced.
“They’ve earned those runs. Whether it’s Harry Brook or anyone else bowling, those are Test runs, and a century is never gifted. If you didn’t want a part-timer bowling, bring back Flintoff or Harmison — it was your choice to give the ball to Brook, not ours.”
Backing Ashwin’s view, Sunil Gavaskar also slammed England’s approach, stating on Sony Sports that had he been captain, he would’ve continued batting for the full remaining 15 overs.
“It’s not about being petty. It’s about honouring the effort,” Gavaskar said. “Let them bat. Why cut short what they’ve worked so hard for?”
The incident drew sharp reactions and wide support for India across the cricketing fraternity.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin lauded India’s resolve and questioned England’s sportsmanship.
“India earned the right to stay out there. Just because it didn’t go England’s way, they wanted to stop. That’s not how it works,” Haddin said on the Willow Talk Podcast.
Even former England captains came out in support of India’s stance. Alastair Cook, speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special, called it a wise decision that could boost India’s momentum ahead of the final Test at The Oval.
“When you’ve been in the field for 140 overs, frustration kicks in. But India made the right call — the psychological lift of a century is massive going into the decider.”
Nasser Hussain, too, didn’t hold back in criticizing England’s optics after the failed handshake.
“England seemed upset just because things didn’t go their way,” he said on Sky Sports. “Stokes didn’t need to bring in Brook and make it look silly. Two players worked hard for their milestones — that’s what Test cricket is all about.”
Ashwin summed it up best:
“There were two reasons behind that handshake: One, England didn’t want to exhaust their bowlers. Two, they were frustrated that if they couldn’t be happy, neither should we. That’s not how cricket works. Washington and Jadeja deserved their centuries. Period.”
As India heads into the fifth and final Test at The Oval, the team carries not just form, but also pride — having stood their ground, both tactically and morally, in the face of questionable gamesmanship.
