Former India offie R Ashwin slams Ben Stokes & Co for looking to end match before Ravindra, Washington’s tons; says duo should’ve batted for remaining 15 overs
England skipper Ben Stokes (left) sees his suggestion of an early finish turned down by India’s Ravindra Jadeja (second from right) on Day Five of the fourth Test in Manchester on Sunday. Pic/Getty Images
Feisty R Ashwin called out England’s “double standards” in their attempt to prematurely end the fourth Test as the cricket fraternity extensively supported India’s decision to let Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar complete their well-deserved centuries instead of accepting the home team’s handshake offer.
Final hour drama
Drama erupted at the start of the final hour of the match on Sunday when home skipper Ben Stokes offered to shake hands with Indian batters, realising that an outright result was not possible.
Jadeja and Washington, batting on 89 and 80 respectively refused the offer to leave the England captain frustrated. Stokes later said that he made the offer since he didn’t want to risk injury to his fatigued frontline bowlers.
R Ashwin
“Have you heard the term double standards? They played your bowlers all day, batted you out and suddenly when they’re nearing hundreds, you want to walk off?
Why should they?”
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“They have played all your bowlers since morning and taken it to a draw. They have worked hard, so you want them to leave their hundred?” the former off-spinner fumed.
Both Ashwin and legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Sony Sports said they would have had India bat mandated 15 overs. “If I were India captain, I would have played the entire 15 overs,” Ashwin said.
Former England captain Alastair Cook also backed India’s decision, suggesting the momentum would serve them well heading into the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
Cook backs Indians
“It was the right decision for [Jadeja and Washington] to carry on for the momentum they’ll gain from it,” Cook said on BBC’s Test Match Special.
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