Ben Stokes behaved like a spoiled kid, says Manjrekar
Ben Stokes sees his offer for a draw to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar rebuffed
A dramatic final hour in the Manchester Test between India and England has sparked a heated debate across the cricketing world after England captain Ben Stokes offered to end the game early, much to the dismay of Indian batters and former players.
With the match clearly heading for a draw, Stokes, citing fatigue and the lack of a possible result, extended a sporting gesture by offering to shake hands with one hour of play remaining.
Rishabh Pant ruled out of fifth Test, Jagadeesan named replacement
2 hrs ago
However, India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar — batting on 89 and 80 respectively — refused the offer, eyeing personal milestones after a gritty partnership.
Stokes’ response raised eyebrows as he brought part-time bowler Harry Brook into the attack, who proceeded to bowl a series of deliberate full-tosses, effectively conceding the centuries to the Indian duo.
The move sparked immediate backlash, with former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar blasting the England skipper’s conduct.
“Ben Stokes behaved like a spoiled kid,” Manjrekar said bluntly on JioHotstar. “Just because India didn’t comply with the English way of doing things doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”
Former England batter Jonathan Trott defended Stokes, saying such early finishes are common in England and reflect the team’s culture of putting the collective above individual achievements.
“In England, if a result isn’t possible, and both teams agree, you end the game. Stokes wasn’t thinking about milestones. He just wanted to wrap up a dead rubber,” Trott commented.
Manjrekar, however, challenged that notion, stating, “Trott comes from a different culture. The whole world doesn’t play as per the English way of cricket.”
Former England captain Nasser Hussain took a more balanced view, suggesting that while England’s bowlers were clearly tired, Stokes could have handled the situation more gracefully.
“Stokes didn’t have to bowl Brook and look silly at the end,” Hussain said on Sky Sports. “We make far too much of these things. They [Jadeja and Washington] played well and deserved their hundreds. All credit to India.”
India’s Washington Sundar, when asked about the situation by Cheteshwar Pujara, opted for a diplomatic response.
“I think everyone saw on TV what happened and they all must have enjoyed it,” Sundar remarked with a smile.
The episode has sparked larger conversations around sporting spirit, cultural differences in cricket traditions, and the importance of individual milestones in the longer format.
