[WATCH} ENG vs IND 2025: Jadeja-Sundar reject Stokes’ handshake offer to complete centuries

[WATCH} ENG vs IND 2025: Jadeja-Sundar reject Stokes’ handshake offer to complete centuries. (Photo source: Sony Sports)

As the fourth Test between England and India went into the final hour of play, host skipper Ben Stokes offered Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar — the batters at the crease, to shake hands and accept an offer for a drawn game. However, both the batters were nearing their respective hundreds and rejected Stokes’ offer with a wry smile on their faces.

Stokes and Ben Duckett were also spotted getting in the eyes of Jadeja and throwing words at him, “Do you wanna get to a hundred off Harry Brook?” to which the Indian all-rounder simply replied, “I don’t know anything. It is up to the captain.” The on-field act between both the sides created a moment of amusement for the fans watching live, as drawn games have become a rarity in Test cricket of late.

A drinks break was taken shortly after, and the batters in the middle didn’t waste a lot of time to get to their centuries. The first man to reach there was Jadeja, who did so with a beautiful lofted six off Harry Brook. An over later, Jadeja’s partner-in-crime Sundar too reached the landmark. It was also the first-ever century for the 25-year-old in red-ball internationals — a moment he will cherish for a long, long time.

Three-figure marks for the Indian duo meant that the teams finally shook hands, calling an end to a riveting action across five days of intense cricket at the iconic venue of Old Trafford in Manchester. A fantastic game of cricket from two of the fiercest competitors in the world ended in even-steven as it could not produce a winner, but cricket won and fans witnessed an amazing clash.

They deserved a century: Shubman Gill

“We thought they deserved a century there (about the decision to not shake hands),” the Indian skipper Shubman Gill said at the post-match party.

Speaking of the series, the Three Lions are still 2-1 ahead in the series, having won the games at Edgbaston and Lord’s during the second and third Test, respectively. The teams will now travel back to London to play the fifth and final encounter of the series at The Oval, commencing July 31.

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