Former England batter and current Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott weighed in on the post-match drama in the fourth Test between India and England at Manchester, which ended in a draw after India chose to continue batting instead of accepting England's offer for a handshake. Trott acknowledged that both sides had valid reasons for their actions but admitted the decision left the English camp slightly annoyed.
The incident unfolded during the final drinks break on Day 5 when England skipper Ben Stokes suggested calling the match off early as a draw. At that point, India had already secured a draw, but Ravindra Jadeja was unbeaten on 89, and Washington Sundar was on 80. India declined the offer and chose to continue batting so both players could reach their individual centuries.
"I’m not sure if it was necessary, but here in England, the common practice is to go for the handshake if the match situation is settled. For Stokes and the England team, personal milestones are usually considered secondary to team objectives," Trott said while speaking on JioHotstar.
He explained that England expected India to agree to the draw once the outcome was beyond doubt. However, the Indian camp had a different perspective.
"In this case, India had secured their goal—a draw—and from England’s perspective, that should’ve been the end. But I also see the other side," Trott said, showing empathy toward India’s approach.
Sundar, who was promoted to bat at No. 5 for the first time in his Test career, continued his composed innings. He brought up his century with a flick after hitting Joe Root for a boundary to enter the 90s. Jadeja, on the other hand, smashed a four off Brook to bring up his hundred and also stitched a 200-run stand with Sundar.
"For someone like Sundar, giving up the chance to score a debut hundred is tough. These chances don’t come often in Test cricket. So, I do understand why he wanted to stay and complete that milestone," Trott added.
He also noted that while England’s visible frustration is understandable, the decision adds spice to the final Test of the series.
"England are probably a little frustrated, but that’s natural. What it does is set things up perfectly for the final Test. It’s going to be spicy, and I can’t wait," he said.
Speaking further on England’s bowling performance, Trott expressed concern about their inability to take wickets on a deteriorating Day 5 pitch. England bowled 142 overs across the final two days and managed to take just two wickets—both on Day 4 in the very first over.
"England tried all options. No one can fault their effort, but the issue is the quality. This isn’t encouraging, especially with the Ashes looming and the series still alive," he said.
The inability to take wickets even with the new ball, particularly when India were under pressure early in their innings, is a worrying sign for England.
"They had two new balls and couldn’t make an impact. That’s concerning. On a Day 5 pitch where the ball was staying low, you’d expect better returns," Trott observed.
Praising India’s performance, especially Washington Sundar’s emergence as a promising all-rounder, Trott said India may have found a reliable successor to Ravindra Jadeja.
“Washington Sundar is just 25 or 26 and has shown maturity beyond his years. He’s contributed significantly with the bat and looks more than capable with the ball as well. This discovery makes India’s lineup even stronger,” Trott concluded.
Final Thoughts from The Trending People
India’s decision to prioritise player milestones over customary match etiquette may have ruffled feathers in the English camp, but it also underlines the importance of individual achievements in shaping team morale. The disagreement, far from being a petty conflict, has intensified the competitive spirit between the two sides. With players like Washington Sundar stepping up and showing their potential to take on larger roles, India’s future appears bright. As we head into the fifth and final Test, expect emotions to run high and the cricket to be fiercely contested.