India vs England: Jadeja, Sundar Lead Fightback as Handshake Controversy Marks Day 5 Draw

India pulled off a stirring fightback on the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, clinching a morale‑boosting draw against England. Ravindra Jadeja (107*), Washington Sundar (101*), and Shubman Gill (103) led the charge as India, trailing by 311 runs at the start of their second innings, defied the odds on a challenging fifth‑day pitch.

With the series now poised 2-1 in England’s favour, the final Test begins at The Oval on July 31. But beyond the runs and resilience, it was the late‑day handshake drama that had fans and pundits talking.

The Handshake Refusal

In the final hour, England skipper Ben Stokes extended a handshake — a customary gesture to signal a draw. At the crease, Jadeja on 89 and Sundar on 80 declined, choosing instead to press on towards personal milestones.

The decision irked Stokes and his teammates. Stump mics captured a heated exchange as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett questioned India’s intent, while Stokes sarcastically asked Jadeja, “Do you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?” Jadeja, unfazed, replied calmly, “I can’t do anything.”

Jadeja Hits Back, Sundar Follows

Stokes handed the ball to part‑timer Harry Brook in apparent protest. Jadeja seized the moment, lofting him for a six to bring up his century — his third in Test cricket. Soon after, Sundar reached his maiden hundred, the pair steering India to safety and silencing doubts about their intent.

Post-Match Reconciliation

Despite the tension, Stokes eventually shook hands with both Jadeja and Sundar once the draw was secured. Shubman Gill later clarified that the decision to play on came from the batters themselves. “They were in their 90s and deserved their hundreds. Every Test teaches you something new,” Gill said.

What Lies Ahead

The spirited draw has set the stage for a thrilling finale at The Oval, with India aiming to level the series and England seeking to seal it 3-1.