Ben Stokes has aimed to cool down the war of words between the two sides ahead of the IND vs ENG 5th Test at the Oval. Stokes was at the centre of the controversy after his offer to draw the Manchester Test was rejected by both Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The duo eventually settled for a stalemate, only after they had reached their respective centuries on the final day at Old Trafford.
Ben Stokes changes stance post handshake controversy
England captain Ben Stokes has lauded the efforts of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja after India escaped with a draw in Manchester last week. Sundar and Jadeja batted for more than 2 sessions to save India from defeat and give them a chance to level the series in London.
Stokes having realized the result was a foregone conclusion, offered to shake hands and call a draw. However the Indian batters refused with sights on their centuries. That refusal did not sit well with Stokes and the English side, with an altercation to follow. The England captain then bowled Harry Brook and Joe Root to finish the game quicker.
Stokes came in for a lot of criticism for his actions in the aftermath of the Manchester Test. Now removed from the heat of the battle, Stokes opined it was understandable why they doubled down and waited to get their centuries.
“[Ravindra] Jadeja and Washington [Sundar] played really well to get the game to that point and it’s understandable why they wanted the centuries. We’ve moved on and hope India moves on from that twenty minutes,” Stokes said in his press conference.
India will now eye to level the series after their Manchester escape. Ben Stokes, however will be out of action, having suffered a shoulder injury. Ollie Pope will captain England at The Oval, while Jacob Bethell has come in for Stokes.
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