Manchester: Mark Ramprakash, a former cricketer, criticized India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja and England players for their quarrel on the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.
In the final seconds of Day 5, drama unfolded as India battled with every ounce of strength to keep the series alive, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja's (107) and Washington Sundar's (101) courageous 203-run unbroken partnership.
With the draw looking inevitable, England captain Ben Stokes approached the Indian duo and extended his hand, asking them to call a halt to the game. Jadeja (89) and Sundar (80) refused to accept it, so the southpaws continued to play. Shortly after the incident, England bowled, tossed up, and delivered via Harry Brook, while Jadeja struck the ball for a maximum to reach his fifth Test century.
Mark gave his thoughts on the entire exchange of words, believing that it did not reflect properly on Stokes and his crew. He even wonders, if England had taken India's position, which path of action would they have taken?
You have to question whether England would have continued if a player had reached 90 not out. We hear of England players being extremely proud of being featured on the honor boards at Lord's and other venues because those milestones are significant achievements. I can see where India was coming from, Mark told Sky Sports Cricket.
Stokes was overheard asking Jaddu on the stump microphone, "Jaddu, do you want to score a Test 100 against Brook & Duckett? " Jadeja answered to the English captain's query by asking, "What do you want me to do, just walk off? " Zak Crawley, who was standing near the crease, joined in, saying: You can, simply shake your hand.
The stump microphone and statements do not reflect well on Ben Stokes' team, who, to be honest, are doing an excellent job of revitalizing Test cricket. They are playing brilliantly. He stated that the cricket had been of such excellent quality that it would be a waste to focus on it.
The game ended with players walking back after Washington scored his first Test century. India head coach Gautam Gambhir was questioned about the event after the game, and he stated his position with a terse statement.
If someone is batting on 90 and another on 85, don't they deserve their centuries? Would England have departed if their own players were nearing milestones? No. Our guys survived the storm. They earned those tons. We are not here to satisfy anyone, Gambhir stated to journalists at the postmatch press conference.
