Follow UsThe fourth Test between India and England ended in a draw. But it was not that simple. India had to fight right till the end to ensure they do not lose the series, with Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar slamming centuries to save India the game.
However, heading into the final hour of the Test, England captain Ben Stokes decided to shake hands and end the match. However, with both Jadeja and Sundar on the cusp of a well-deserved century, the offer was declined, which did not go down well with the fielding side.
The match continued, and both players got to their centuries and then took up on Stokes' offer to call it a day. There was a lot of chit-chat between the players on the field, as the England contingent was furious with India's decision to play on despite a win for either side being completely ruled out.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has called out Stokes, saying that it was a silly ploy employed by him to go off early. “I didn't have a problem. England seemed to have a problem with it, they were a little bit tired, tired bowlers, tired legs. They wanted to get off," Hussain said on Sky Cricket.
"The two lads have worked hard to get into the eighties, they wanted Test match hundreds. Stokes didn’t have to bowl Brook, and it looked a bit silly at the end there, but we make far too much of these things. They played well, they deserved a draw, they deserved to be there at the end."
Hussain also lauded India for playing out a hard-fought draw. The visitors were 0/2 after just five deliveries in the second innings, but finished at 425/4 in the end.
“All credit to India. It's only England’s second-ever draw under this Bazball regime — the other one on this ground as well, because of rain. This one was a draw simply because England couldn’t roll over the two left-handers, who were brilliant,” Hussain added.
The series will reach its conclusion at The Oval, the venue for the fifth Test, starting July 31 (Thursday).