London: A rare postscript of tension unfolded at The Old Trafford on the final evening of the fourth India-England Test, when Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined Ben Stokes’ offer to draw the match, choosing instead to chase personal milestones.
The moment triggered visible frustration from the England camp, but former pacer Stuart Broad defended the move, stating, "Test hundreds are bloody hard to get."
With India reaching 430 for four and the match heading inexorably toward a draw, England captain Ben Stokes signaled the customary handshake at the start of the final hour. Having already spent 143 overs in the field, England sought closure. However, Jadeja and Sundar opted to bat on, well within the laws, to try and complete their well-earned centuries.
What followed was an unusual phase of Test cricket. With all hopes of a result gone, part-timer Harry Brook was summoned to bowl off-spin—despite being a medium pacer. The bowling lacked intensity, and the field closed in as England players tried to hurry proceedings.
"There was frustration, sure," said Broad during post-match commentary. "But Sundar was on the brink of a maiden hundred, Jadeja was close too. They've been out there grinding for four hours. You can't blame them. Test hundreds are bloody hard to get."
As Brook delivered wayward off-spin, India cautiously pushed singles, with Jadeja even launching a six. On more than one occasion, England players, Brook included offered handshakes, only to be turned down.
Broad empathised with the situation on both sides. "If I was fielding, I’d be taking my boots off near the dressing room, ready to go in. But I can’t fault India either. That was four hours of serious determination."
Sundar’s emotions after the match struck a chord. "He said this was for his family," Broad recounted. "That hit me. The work wasn’t in the final 50 minutes. It was in the four hours they dug in to save the game."
England, under Ben Stokes, have long rejected individual milestones in favour of pushing for team results, but Broad acknowledged that Test cricket still has space for moments like this.
"Whether you finish on 89 or 103, the value of those innings remains. And India had every right to bat that hour."
As the fans watched a rare case of "handshake denial," the moment added a peculiar but compelling twist to a fiercely competitive series. With the fifth Test looming, and the series still delicately poised, this unexpected tension has only raised the stakes further.
