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Alastair Cook says India’s decision to proceed batting despite Ben Stokes’ offer for a draw was the best one and the hosts were simply frustrated.
The 4th Test led to a draw after India’s sensible fightback. (AP/AFP)
The 4th Test in Manchester will likely be remembered for the fightback shown by India after being pushed right into a corner by England. Aiming for an unassailable lead within the five-match series, England did all the pieces right – from winning the toss and keeping India to 358-all out to posting a mammoth 669 in reply. They then took a large step towards winning the competition by eliminating two India batters for 0. From 0/2 and trailing by 311 runs, India showed grit and determination to save lots of the competition and ensure it led to a draw. Shubman Gill (103) and KL Rahul (90) stabilised the innings after the early jolts before Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar struck centuries to seal the fate.
Nonetheless, the highlight seems to have been stolen, for now, by England venting their frustration at India not accepting Ben Stokes’ handshake for a premature draw. With the play entering the ultimate hour and two well-set India batters facing almost no trouble from the English bowlers, Stokes offered to finish the sport early, but Jadeja and Sundar refused.
An irritated Stokes took a dig and asked if Jadeja will likely be like scoring hundred against the bowling of part-timers Harry Brook and Ben Duckett. Later, the England Test captain doubled down on his response claiming that 10-11 extra runs wouldn’t have taken away anything from the superlative efforts of Jadeja and Sundar.
England legend Alastair Cook begs to differ from Stokes and says Stokes & Co. were simply frustrated at having spent loads of time on the sector chasing leather.
“It was the best decision for them to hold on for the momentum they’ll gain from it. Whenever you’re out on the sector, when you have got been on the market for 140 overs, you get frustrated. So there’s a little bit little bit of frustration for England,” Cook said on BBC Sport.
The competition was reduced to a farce by England with Harry Brook tossing up lollipops with no intention to land the ball in the best spots. Cook said in few years, the world will only remember the sensible centuries scored by Indian batters to save lots of the competition and never what Brook did when asked to bowl.
“I understand why India did it. Five years down the road, you have a look at the scorecard, you’ll see two sensible tons of to save lots of the sport. Plus, Shubman Gill’s as well. So, it is going to be forgotten about Harry Brook’s 37mph ball,” he said.
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He launched into his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He launched into his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
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