In a gripping end to the 4th Test between England and India, veteran Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar slams Ben Stokes for his emotional outburst directed at the Indian all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The incident unfolded on Day 5 at The Oval, where India pulled off a hard-fought draw thanks to a gritty batting display by the lower order.
England captain Ben Stokes appeared visibly frustrated as India’s tailenders showcased remarkable composure. Stokes accused the duo of time-wasting and killing the game’s momentum, calling it “anti-competitive.” However, his remarks drew criticism from several former players, including Manjrekar, who emphasized that “tactical resilience should not be mistaken for negative play.” Manjrekar said,
“Ben Stokes would have had some inkling. He’s been to India before. He would have known that the rest of the world doesn’t think like he does. In the end, he behaved a bit like a spoilt kid – grumpy and not shaking hands at the end with Jadeja. I thought India, with Jadeja as the senior player out there, conducted themselves really well in that situation. The English players came off looking worse off,”
Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar’s Defense Sparks Debate as Sanjay Manjrekar furious on Ben Stokes
Defending his countrymen, Sanjay Manjrekar slams Ben Stokes by stating that Stokes’ frustration stemmed from India’s disciplined and match-saving effort. Manjrekar added, “Stokes needs to understand that cricket is not always about aggression. Sometimes survival is the real win,”
Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar batted over 25 overs together, frustrating England’s attack and saving the match for India. Social media was divided—some praised England’s attacking spirit, while others lauded India’s strategic play under pressure.
Although England had to settle for a draw against India in the fourth Test at Manchester, Ben Stokes earned his second straight Player of the Match honor. The star all-rounder delivered a stellar performance, claiming 5 for 72 in India’s first innings and scoring a commanding 141 off 198 deliveries during England’s reply. In the previous Test at Lord’s, the 34-year-old also secured the Player of the Match title, thanks to his five-wicket haul and contributions of 44 and 33 runs with the bat.
The Test series is now tied 1-1 heading into the final match, with tensions high and both sides eager to seize the momentum. The fifth and final Test of the series is scheduled to take place at the Oval from July 31 to August 4. But the heated post-match exchanges have added fuel to the fire—setting up a thrilling finale.