On the final evening of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, a rare moment of tension unfolded as Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined England captain Ben Stokes’ offer to end the match in a draw. Instead, they chose to continue batting in pursuit of personal milestones—centuries that had eluded them until then. The decision sparked frustration in the England camp, but former pacer Stuart Broad defended the move, stating, “Scoring a Test century is incredibly difficult.”
With India at 430/4 and the match heading toward a draw, Stokes signaled for the customary handshake at the start of the final hour. England had already bowled 143 overs and were ready to conclude the game. However, Jadeja and Sundar, well within the rules, opted to bat on and complete their centuries.
What followed was an unusual phase in Test cricket. With the result no longer in doubt, part-time bowler Harry Brook—typically a medium pacer—was asked to bowl off-spin. The lack of intensity and hurried overs led to crowding on the field, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
“There was disappointment,” Broad admitted during commentary. “But Sundar was on the verge of his first century, and Jadeja was close too. They had battled for four hours. You can’t fault them. A Test hundred is a big deal.”
As Brook delivered erratic spin, India cautiously rotated the strike, with Jadeja even hitting a six. On multiple occasions, England players, including Brook, attempted to initiate handshakes, but were politely refused.
Broad empathized with both sides. “If I were fielding, I’d be ready to take my shoes off near the dressing room. But I can’t blame India either. Those were four hours of serious determination.”
Sundar’s post-match emotions struck a chord. “He said it was for his family,” Broad shared. “That moved me. The real work wasn’t in the last 50 minutes—it was in those four hours of resilience.”
Under Stokes’ leadership, England has often prioritized team outcomes over individual achievements. Yet Broad acknowledged that Test cricket still has room for such moments. “Whether you finish on 89 or 103, the innings still matters. India had every right to bat that hour.”
The refusal to shake hands added an odd but compelling twist to an already intense series. With the fifth Test approaching and the series delicately poised, this unexpected drama has only raised the stakes.