Ben Stokes' demand is not India's command: Manchester Test drama set straight
They say that a defeat brings out one's real character. It's relatively easier to appear gracious and sympathetic with the gold in your hand. But a defeat, especially in sports, shows the true sportsmanship of an individual or a team. It was not even a defeat but a draw that brought out an aggravating side of England and Ben Stokes. Ever since the English adopted the Bazball approach, a draw has been treated as their Kryptonite. Thus, when the touring India forced a draw in the Manchester Test after England had dominated the first three days, the hosts grew frustrated.
Ben Stokes and his unfazed audacity on display in Manchester Test
Aware of his fate, Ben Stokes proposed a draw on Day 5 of the Manchester Test while Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja were batting in the 80s. With a century in sight for both batters, India denied the early proposal. However, the denial aggravated Stokes and his team, who teased Jadeja. While Stokes was well within his right to demand a draw, it was rather audacious of the English captain to expect the opponents to comply.
The equation could have been very simple: propose a draw, continue bowling if the opponents deny. India had defied the 311-run lead by the last session, and a victory was out of the question for both teams in the Manchester Test. Ben Stokes proposed the draw after the completion of the mandatory overs, but India declined. However, drama brewed when England responded to the denial. No matter the intentions, Stokes's move seemed like an attempt to undermine the efforts put up by the pair of Sundar and Jadeja.
Neither Ravindra Jadeja nor Washington Sundar is the kind of character to engage in on-field banter. As the English team surrounded Jadeja, teasing him about chasing a milestone instead of finishing the proceedings early, Jadeja explained that it was not his decision. Jofra Archer took aim at the all-rounder, saying that if he wanted a ton, he should have played like that earlier. Zak Crawley repeated the same thing thrice, asking the Indian batsman to shake hands and be done with it. Ben Stokes, who broke his two-year-long century drought in the Manchester Test, took a step ahead and questioned whether Jadeja wanted to complete his ton against Harry Brook.
Only thing, Jadeja didn't demand Stokes to put Harry Brook in the attack. The batter, in his day-long knock, had already faced Stokes' frontline attackers. Completing a ton against Brook doesn't define the entire stand. Stokes had the option to unleash Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, or himself in the concluding moments. The excuse made later by Ben Stokes for his audacious demand was that the captain wanted to shield his bowlers against injuries. However, Stokes' plan should be independent of the opponents' agreement.
Rishabh Pant fractured his right foot while batting in the first innings of the Manchester Test. To avoid a 10 vs 11 contest, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman fought against the injury to come out again. England, mainly Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, did not hesitate to target Pant's injured foot with the cherry. India did not complain. However, it was a moment where "Spirit of the game," or lack thereof, was on display.
"Spirit of the game" is a weapon often used by England to cry foul. However, it is ruled out of question when it's England's turn to show their character. Stokes' intention of protecting his bowlers did not need a nod from India. It was only fair that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar earned the stamp of a Test century for their gritty knocks that defied a 311-run lead. The Manchester Test concluded in a draw, a result despised the most in Bazball standards.
Gautam Gambhir sets the record straight after the draw in the fourth India vs England Test
The five-match India vs England series stands 2-1 in favor of the hosts ahead of India next cricket match. With the draw in the Manchester Test, India has the chance to level the series. Meanwhile, India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was asked to respond to the drama orchestrated by Ben Stokes in the concluding moments of the fourth Test. Gambhir, always a bold presence in such interactions, did not mince his words. The Indian head coach simply asked whether English players would have walked off if put in such a situation. Gambhir highlighted that Jadeja and Sundar deserved their respective tons and "thankfully" got them.
“If someone is batting on 90, and the other is batting on 85, don't they deserve a hundred?” asked Gambhir. “Would they have walked off? If someone from England would've been batting on 90 or 85, and had the opportunity to score their first Test hundred, wouldn't you allow them to do it? See, it's up to them. If they want to play that way, it's up to them. I think both of those guys deserved a hundred, and they got it,” Gambhir rounded off.
