The fourth Test match at Old Trafford ended on a controversial note as English players, including captain Ben Stokes, got involved in a verbal spat with Ravindra Jadeja over calling off the game once the draw became inevitable.
The incident started when Jadeja and Washington Sundar were nearing their respective centuries and Stokes offered to end the game before the scheduled time and call it a draw, as there was no chance of either England or India winning the game at that point.
The Indian batters, however, refused to shake hands and leave the pitch as both players wanted to complete their milestones. The refusal led to a confrontation between Stokes and Jadeja, before Harry Brook and Ben Duckett jumped in.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
Shortly, the pair reached their respective hundreds and that is when the Indian batsmen decided to accept England's offer to end the game.
Did Ben Stokes deny Ravindra Jadeja a handshake after the 4th Test at Old Trafford?
Interestingly, in a video clip that went viral on social media during the post-match greetings, Stokes can be clearly seen ignoring Jadeja during the handshake between players, although he did shake Sundar's hand.
The incident did not go down well with fans or cricket experts, as many believed it was ungentlemanly of the English skipper to skip the pleasantries after a match.
However, a video from the official broadcaster showed Stokes and Jadeja shaking hands immediately after the game. As soon as Sundar got to his century, Jadeja decided to end the match, and the duo shook hands.
However, Stokes had a few words to say to Jadeja when the entire Indian team had come out for the post-match handshakes. Stokes, who had already shaken Jadeja's hands, did not bother shaking it again which sort of led to a furore among Indian fans online.
Stokes didn’t refuse the handshake, he was the first one to do so. pic.twitter.com/XZBuadM86i
— Amey (@itzamey19) July 27, 2025
Get this straight. There r two handshakes here. One where ben does give a HS to the batters. Thats the official give up on the game, with the captain.
— Vivek (@Vivek91166621) July 28, 2025
The other, post game, which ben avoided with both batters and even argued with Jaddu.
What next for England and India?
The two teams have only three days to recover and prepare for the fifth Test, where the outcome of the series will be decided. Day 1 of the fifth Test starts on Thursday, July 31.