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Legendary Australia batter and former India head coach Greg Chappell lashed out at Ben Stokes and England for their antics on the final day of the Manchester Test. He called out the Three Lions for what he described as a “facade” in the closing moments of the match where India salvaged a hard-fought draw thanks to brilliant batting displays from the likes of KL Rahul (90), Shubman Gill (103), Ravindra Jadeja (107*) and Washington Sundar (101*).
With there being 15 overs left on Day 5 and with a draw looking like the only inevitable result, Stokes went up to Jadeja to shake hands and call the match off. But, with Jadeja and Sundar batting on 89 and 80 respectively at that time, they decided to not take Stokes' offer and continued batting. They did so because both of them were quite close to bringing up their hundreds and wanted to reach the milestone.
However, this decision left the England camp infuriated including Stokes, who brought in part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root into the attack and even taunted Jadeja by asking, “You want to get a hundred against Harry Brook?” However, this didn't stop the Indian batting duo from targeting Brook and hit him for boundaries. Both of them would soon reach triple figures and it was only after that that the Men in Blue would decide to call the match as a draw.
Chappell entirely blamed England for the controversy
Chappell labelled the entire drama on Day 5 as an 'ugly scene' and further slammed the England team for their behaviour towards the Indian batters at Old Trafford.
“What should have been a celebration of Test cricket's enduring drama ended in an ugly scene: England's fielders aiming barbs and bouncers at India's centurions-in-waiting," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
“For a team that has traded on the breezy moralism of the Bazball era, the petulance was jarring. England, often quick to claim moral victories, inadvertently surrendered the high ground here. India, conversely, left Manchester buoyed not only by resilience but also by the visible cracks in the English facade,” he added.
Chappell also praised the Indian batters for pulling off a draw against all odds and running the opposing bowlers to the ground. He further remarked that several years down the line, England's lack of composure will be remembered because of what Stokes did.
“At Old Trafford, India conjured a thrilling escape to draw the fourth Test, frustrating an English side that had sniffed victory but ran out of puff and poise. A century eluded KL Rahul, but Shubman Gill brought up his fourth for the series,” Chappell wrote.
“Their dogged resistance, alongside the calm defiance of Washington Sundar and the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, ensured India walked away with honours even - and perhaps even the upper hand. England's bowlers looked weary by the final session, but it was their loss of composure, not stamina, that will be most remembered,” he added.
Meanwhile, India will be facing-off against England in the fifth and final match of the series which is set to be played at The Oval from July 31. With the Three Lions leading the series by 2-1, the visitors do not have any chance to win, but they can manage to level it up if they manage to record a victory in the final Test. However, the hosts will definitely be the favourites to lift the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as even a draw would see them triumph in the series.
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