The fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy seemed to be headed for a quiet, uneventful draw—until the final hour on Day 5 brought unexpected drama.
With India at 386/4 and just 15 overs remaining, England captain Ben Stokes offered to settle for a draw, extending a handshake towards Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. However, the Indian pair refused the offer, determined to keep batting. Even when the umpires relayed Stokes’ proposal, India stood firm in their decision to play on.
At the time, Jadeja was batting on 89 (173) and Sundar on 80 (188). Both were eyeing personal milestones, and understandably so.
The refusal didn’t sit well with England. The atmosphere shifted. Sledging intensified. In a move that added a touch of theatre, Stokes brought on part-timer Harry Brook to bowl alongside Joe Root. But the Indian batters weren’t rattled.
Jadeja struck a boundary and followed it up with a towering six off Brook to bring up his fifth Test century—becoming only the 10th Indian to reach three figures at Old Trafford. Sundar soon followed suit, smashing boundaries and running a double to notch up his maiden Test hundred.
Once both batters reached their centuries, India agreed to shake hands, and the match ended in a draw.
It was just the second draw in the ‘Bazball’ era under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. The only other came during the 2023 Ashes at the same venue, when rain wiped out two days of play.
While England may have been frustrated, Jadeja and Sundar’s stance was understandable. India had fought back from 222/4, nullified England’s advantage, and ensured the series remained alive at 2-1. The decider now heads to The Oval, starting Thursday, July 31.
