Manchester, England – The dramatic conclusion of the 4th Test between England and India in Manchester on Sunday left a bitter taste for many, particularly former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has vehemently criticized England captain Ben Stokes for his actions on Day 5. Ashwin called out Stokes for what he termed a “below-the-belt act” that he felt insulted India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
The match, which saw a resilient Indian batting display first led by KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, then brilliantly continued by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, culminated in controversy when Stokes attempted to call off the match and offer a handshake. However, this gesture came at a crucial juncture: both Jadeja and Sundar were nearing their respective centuries, and for India, a draw was the only possible outcome of the match, making the proposal to end play prematurely highly questionable.
When the Indian batters rightfully continued their innings, England, including captain Stokes, visibly displayed their frustration. Reports indicate that England then resorted to deliberately bowling “lollipop deliveries” in an apparent attempt to speed up Jadeja and Sundar’s march to their centuries. India ultimately managed to secure a draw at Old Trafford, keeping the series alive heading into the fifth and final Test at The Oval, scheduled to begin this Thursday.
Stokes’s behavior drew widespread disapproval, and Ravichandran Ashwin, known for his adherence to the rules and spirit of cricket, was particularly incensed. What seemingly “ticked Ashwin off” most was Stokes’s alleged remark to Jadeja: “You want to score your hundred against Harry Brook?” Ashwin, a veteran spinner, wasted no time in reminding Stokes about the fundamentals of the game, even provocatively challenging him to bring former England greats out of retirement to face Jadeja.
“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?” an irate Ashwin questioned on his popular YouTube show ‘Ash ki Baat’.
He continued, addressing Stokes’s specific comment: “You ask, ‘You want to make a hundred against Harry?’ Not Brook, brother. He has to make a hundred. Bring any bowler – they won’t object. Why Brook? Call Steve Harmison, call Andrew Flintoff for all we care. It was your call to bring Brook, not ours.”
Ashwin further accused Ben Stokes of directly “hampering the spirit of the game.” He believes Stokes’s actions were merely a display of frustration, stemming from his ability to influence the game at that moment. Ashwin emphatically stressed that the Indian team, any opposition, or even the sport of cricket itself, does not operate according to the “whims and fancies of a single individual.” Clearly fuming, Ashwin held the England captain accountable for creating unnecessary controversy and underscored why both Jadeja and Sundar deserved their centuries. The Indian duo had put on an unbeaten double-century partnership, keeping England wicketless for almost two entire sessions, thereby extending their opponents’ misery.
“There were two reasons – one, you didn’t want to tire your bowlers. Fine. Second, you were frustrated and thought ‘If I’m not happy, you shouldn’t be either. Boss, your frustration is not our problem. That’s not how cricket works. These are Test runs. A century is earned, not gifted. Washington deserved it, Jadeja deserved it. Period,” Ashwin concluded, leaving no doubt about his strong disapproval of Stokes’s conduct.