Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has criticised Ben Stokes and the England team for their reaction on Day 5 of the fourth Test of the series against India at Old Trafford. The match ended in a draw. But a lot of drama unfolded in the final hour as Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused to shake hands for a draw.
Instead, both players decided to carry on. Jadeja was on 89 and Sundar on 80, having saved the game for India. England had hoped the teams would agree to end the match early, but India did not agree. That decision upset Stokes and his teammates, who were seen and heard expressing their frustration on the field.
The rules allow both captains to settle for a draw when there’s no chance of a result. But India chose to keep batting, a move Boycott fully supported in his column for The Telegraph. He felt England had no right to complain after the way they behaved throughout the match.
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Geoffrey Boycott Defends India’s Refusal to Settle for Draw
Boycott pointed out that England were vocal throughout the match and had no reason to complain when India turned the tables.
"What goes around comes around. England were gobby enough when it suited them, so you can't blame India for wanting to stay on and allow two batsmen who had worked their socks off to reach their hundreds. If you give it, like England do, then you have to be able to take it. I could hear them through the stump mics chipping away at India, so why should they be nice to them and agree to go off when England have had enough?" Boycott wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
He praised Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for their discipline and resilience under pressure.
"These India players are tough cookies. They do not take a backward step. There is no way I would have let anyone drag me off on 89 after I had worked hard all day to save the game for my team."
Boycott added that the duo’s decision was completely justified, given how well they batted to pull their team out of trouble.
"Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar deserved their hundreds. They left the ball well, played with the full face of the bat and defended their wickets at all costs. Well done," he noted.
Geoffrey Boycott Tears Into England’s Antics
In addition to supporting India’s stand, Boycott reflected on how player conduct has evolved over the years, expressing disappointment at the constant sledging seen in today’s game.
"I'm not sure what it is with modern players. You hear a lot of them mouthing off. It never really happened when I was playing. It will carry on at the Oval and India will go there thinking they got a win at Old Trafford," he wrote.
Although the fourth Test ended in a draw, England are still ahead in the series with a lead of 2-1. The final match is scheduled at the Kennington Oval in London from July 31.
