Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, defended his team as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar batted doggedly to secure a draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, much to England’s frustration.
After Jadeja and Sundar’s determined partnership ensured India avoided defeat, Ben Stokes proposed ending the match early with 15 overs remaining. However, with both batters close to centuries—Sundar on 80, Jadeja on 89—India opted to continue playing.
With Stokes keen to protect his main bowlers, Harry Brook was brought into the attack, conceding 24 runs in three overs. The match concluded with Sundar reaching his first Test hundred.
“You have to give them credit, they played exceptionally well,” Stokes said. “But I don’t think scoring a hundred would have meant much more than finishing on 80 or 90 not out if the team was safe. The important thing is they played a crucial role in avoiding a series loss before the final match.”
He added: “We pushed as hard as we could with our main bowlers. Once a draw was certain, I wasn’t going to risk them given the quick turnaround and their workload. I had to remind Brook, ‘Don’t do anything reckless.’ After so much time on the field, we couldn’t afford unnecessary injuries.”
Gambhir had a different view: “If someone is on 90 and the other on 85, don’t they deserve a hundred? Would England’s players have walked off in the same situation? If they fought hard, shouldn’t they get the chance? It’s their decision—if they chose to keep batting, that’s fine by me.”
Stokes had a demanding Test, with a century and a five-wicket haul, but struggled physically on the final day. Asked about his condition, he said: “Mentally, I’m fine. Physically, I’ve been better. The workload has been heavy—long hours in the field, bowling plenty of overs. I kept telling myself, ‘Pain is temporary.’”
He was noncommittal about playing the final Test at the Oval starting Thursday, though his phrasing hinted he would likely feature as England chase a series win. “Considering the time we’ve spent on the field and the overs bowled,” he said, trailing off.
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