Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar rubbed salt into England’s wounds on Day 5 by declining Ben Stokes’s offer of a draw before the final hour of play began in the Manchester Test.

Stokes approached the umpires and offered to shake hands with the Indian players when the score read 386 for 4, with India leading by 75 runs. With 15 overs remaining, the England captain acknowledged there was no realistic chance of a result in favour of the home side.

ENG vs IND, 4th Test Day 5: Highlights

Shubman Gill, watching from the dressing room, looked impassive as Jadeja and Sundar made it clear they intended to carry on. The two Indian all-rounders were nearing their centuries and were well within their rights to remain at the crease with time still left in the match.

Ben Stokes did not appear entirely pleased with India’s decision to reject the draw. The England captain was seen shaking his head after a lengthy discussion with the umpire and the two batters.

Nonetheless, India continued, and both Jadeja and Sundar reached their centuries. Jadeja unleashed his trademark sword celebration to mark yet another heroic knock on English soil, while Sundar celebrated his maiden Test hundred. The pair added an unbroken 203 runs for the fifth wicket.

England were made to bowl five extra overs, allowing Sundar and Jadeja to reach their individual milestones.

Harry Brook, who was brought on to bowl after the draw was initially declined, delivered gentle lobs, enabling the Indian batters to find the boundary with ease.

Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett kept up a running commentary with the Indian duo, something that drew criticism from Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary at the time.

“Jaddu, you want to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook and Joe Root?” Stokes was heard on the stump mic saying, triggering Gavaskar’s anger.

Eventually, the two teams shook hands when Sundar brought up his maiden hundred with a boundary at the end of the 143rd over.

– Ends

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