India battled their way to a hard-fought draw on Day 5 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, but it was Ravindra Jadeja’s refusal to settle for a draw despite a mutual offer from England that triggered a stir. As the final hour approached, with the match meandering towards a draw, England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake to close out the contest. But Jadeja, fresh off leading a resilient fightback alongside Washington Sundar, declined the offer and pressed on. His determined century, under immense pressure after an early collapse (India were 0/2 in their second innings), became the turning point in India’s bid to save the Test. While Stokes later said his gesture was driven by practicality, India skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir stood firmly behind Jadeja’s call to continue batting. Adding weight to that view, former England captain Alastair Cook backed Jadeja’s decision as the right one.
“It was the right decision for them to carry on, for the momentum they’re getting from it,” Cook said on BBC Sport. “When you’re out in the field for 140 overs, you get frustrated. It’s a little bit of frustration for England, but I understand why India do it.” Cook added, “Five years down the line, you look at the scorecard, you see two brilliant hundreds to save the game—plus obviously Gill’s as well—so it will be forgotten about Harry Brook’s 37-mile-an-hour ball.”
Poll
Do you agree with Ravindra Jadeja’s decision to continue batting despite the draw offer?
With the five-match series poised at 2-1 in England’s favour, the final Test now becomes a must-win for India. Given how they clawed their way back into this one, India will head into the decider with renewed confidence and momentum.
