India Refuse England's Offer to Call Off Test Match, Jadeja and Washington Score Hundreds Amid Drama in Manchester

India's Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused England captain Ben Stokes' offer to call off the fourth Test and settle for a draw, exercising their rights to continue batting. Stokes approached the umpire to propose the draw, but Jadeja and Sundar, both in their 90s, chose to carry on batting and eventually scored centuries. India coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill backed their decision, saying they deserved to score hundreds.

In a dramatic turn of events during the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, England captain Ben Stokes offered a draw to India's batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The offer came as the match entered its final hour, with Jadeja on 89 not out and Sundar on 80 not out, both closing in on their respective centuries. Despite the offer, the Indian batters chose to continue batting, ultimately securing their centuries and securing a draw for India.

Stokes' offer was rooted in practicality, as he aimed to conserve his bowlers for the upcoming match. He stated, "With the draw inevitable, I wasn’t going to risk any of our main bowlers. There’s a big game coming up in just three days, and we’ve had a heavy workload. It was just about protecting our resources" [1].

India's captain Shubman Gill defended the decision to continue batting, highlighting the importance of individual achievements. "It was up to the boys, but we felt they batted brilliantly. Both of them were in their 90s, and we believed they deserved to get to their centuries" [2].

The decision to continue batting was supported by India's coach Gautam Gambhir, who stated, "If someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, wouldn’t they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off if someone from the England side would’ve been batting on 90 or 85? If someone has the opportunity to get his first test hundred, wouldn’t you allow him to do it?" [3].

Jadeja and Sundar's partnership was crucial in India's fightback, as they put on an unbroken 203-run stand for the fifth wicket. Jadeja later completed his century with a six off Harry Brook, while Sundar also secured his maiden Test century. The game was called off as soon as both batters brought up their hundreds.

The incident highlighted the strategic and individual aspects of cricket, particularly in the longest format. While England may have found the moment frustrating, it was a reminder of how individual milestones and strategy often shape cricket's unwritten scripts.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-tour-of-england/ind-vs-eng-england-captain-ben-stokes-reacts-after-india-batters-decline-handshake-draw-offered-on-day-5-of-4th-test/articleshow/122938846.cms
[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ben-stokes-handshake-rejected-jadeja-sundar-ind-vs-eng-row-10153458/
[3] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ravindra-jadeja-and-washington-sundar-deserved-a-century-shubman-gill-on-the-dramatic-end-1497062