In an intense fourth Test at Old Trafford, India defied a 311-run deficit to force a draw, propelled by centuries from Shubman Gill (103), Ravindra Jadeja (107*), and Washington  Sundar (101*). India stood determined to draw the fourth Test and set up a series decider at The Oval. However, during India’s innings, England skipper Ben Stokes offered an early handshake to call the draw, but Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar decided against shaking hands and continued with their innings. Both went on to blaze their centuries, finishing at (107*) and (101*), respectively, before calling for the draw. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has called out England’s tactics. 

“Towards the end of the Test, a few grumpy English players were unhappy that the batters at the crease, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined the offer to end the day’s play when England captain Ben Stokes proposed it at the start of the final hour," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar. 

“The England players felt that, since there was no chance of a result, the Indians should have accepted the offer to conclude proceedings. They seemed to forget that two teams are playing out there, and if one decides to continue, the other simply has to accept it. What they overlooked was the hard work and resilience the batters had shown against frontline bowlers for over four hours to reach the 80s. England should have denied them with proper bowlers rather than whining about them getting there against Harry Brook. A Test century isn’t easy and doesn’t come every match, so the batters were fully entitled to bat on and reach their personal landmarks," he added.

“Everything cannot be done according to what the England team wants. This is yet another example of that old syndrome: when we do it, it’s right; when the opposition does the same, it’s wrong. Those days are long gone, and no one, least of all the Indian team, is going to simply accept it,” Gavaskar stated.

Gavaskar said if he were the captain, he would have conveyed to his players to continue batting. 

“If I were the captain, I’d have told them to keep batting and play out the remaining overs, tiring out the fielders even more – especially after the shenanigans by the English players once their offer was declined. The natural light was deteriorating, and the floodlights were on. Had Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse been given the ball, the umpires might have intervened and stopped play – so perhaps England missed a trick there," he added.