The 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford ended in an unexpected display of tension and drama, as England skipper Ben Stokes refused to shake hands with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar after play was called off.
The reason? A gesture earlier in the day when Jadeja, approaching his century, refused to accept a draw offer from Stokes in order to continue batting alongside Washington Sundar, who was also nearing his maiden Test hundred.
As the final session approached and a draw seemed inevitable, Stokes extended a traditional handshake to signal the end of the match. However, Ravindra Jadeja declined the offer. At that point, Jadeja was in the 90s and edging closer to a personal milestone, while his partner Washington Sundar was also within reach of his first-ever Test century. Instead of settling for a draw, Jadeja chose to continue the innings, hoping both he and Sundar could reach three figures.
While Jadeja’s decision may have been driven by personal and team motivations, it did not sit well with the England camp. The game was essentially over as a contest, and the English players appeared visibly annoyed by the decision to play on. The moment grew even more charged when, after India eventually declared the innings, Ben Stokes deliberately avoided shaking hands with the two Indian batters as they walked off the field.
The incident has since sparked debate in the cricketing world. Supporters of Jadeja and Sundar applauded the move as a show of ambition and mutual respect — a senior player standing by a teammate chasing his maiden century. Critics, however, questioned whether it violated the gentleman’s code that defines the longer format of the game, especially when the result was no longer in doubt.
Stokes refused to shake hands with Washington Sundar & Ravindra Jadeja ! pic.twitter.com/dgtC9IDZ4I
— HXF ² (@_huzaiff) July 27, 2025
Regardless of perspective, the scene at Old Trafford added an emotional twist to what was otherwise a slow end to a drawn Test. For Jadeja and Sundar, the moment will be remembered as one of determination and team camaraderie.
For Stokes, it was likely a sign of frustration — perhaps justified — at what he viewed as unnecessary prolonging of a settled match. As the series heads into its final stages, this dramatic standoff is sure to be one of the most talked-about moments.