Follow UsIt was an intriguing Test match in Manchester as India managed to hang on to a well-fought draw after being reduced to 0/2 in the first five balls of their second innings, trailing England by 311 runs. However, centuries from Shubman Gil, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and a 90 from KL Rahul saw India save the match.
However, at the end of the game, that was not what was spoken about, as England captain Ben Stokes stole the limelight with his behaviour. With the last 15 overs to go, and no chances of a result, the England captain looked to shake hands with Jadeja and Sundar, but the batters declined as they were nearing their centuries.
Stokes was then involved in an animated chat with Jadeja and was unhappy with the Indians continuing to bat on despite a draw imminent. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes that because of that moment at the end, Stokes has lost a lot of respect.
“Ben Stokes has lost respect because of one moment when he wanted to stop the game," Kaif said in a clip on Instagram.
“Why would we want to do that? You weren’t able to bowl out India, had nearly two days to do that. You weren’t able to win. I don’t understand what he was trying to do by getting the game to stop."
Kaif acknowledged Stokes' all-round performance in the match, where he picked up a fifer in the first innings and also scored a century, yet feels he has lost respect.
“Ben Stokes bowled so well, scored a century, and everybody was lauding him. It takes years to earn respect and one moment to lose it. Today was that moment for Ben Stokes when he lost respect," he further added.
After the drawn Manchester Test, India will now look to level the series in the final match at The Oval, starting July 31 (Thursday).