India vs England | Stokes fumes as India refuse call for early draw

Manchester: The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has seen its fair share of drama, and another episode unfolded on an engrossing Sunday that left England skipper Ben Stokes utterly bemused.

After England failed to find a way past the defiant alliance of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Stokes offered a chance to sign a truce when the umpires called for drinks with 15 overs remaining. At first, the young Sundar, who was batting on 80, appeared confused and looked at Jadeja, who was having drinks. Stokes then walked towards Jadeja, on 89, and offered a handshake, as the result was impossible to achieve in the last hour remaining.

Jadeja instantly said he didn’t have a say in it, and the decision to walk off the field depended on captain Shubman Gill. The cameras instantly panned on Gill, and the composed captain just asked his men to continue and get their personal milestones after having produced a heroic deed to bail the team out from deep waters.

Stokes was nonplussed and even had a conversation with the umpires, who too told him a truce will hold good only if both captains agree. With his bowlers completely beleaguered following an exhaustive day and a half, Stokes shook his head in dismay. Things did appear a bit heated as Stokes had another long chat with Jadeja, who again reminded him of his limitations.

Stokes then threw on his part-timer Harry Brook and Joe Root, and Jadeja and Sundar feasted on their dollies. First, Jadeja got to his century before Sundar achieved it for the first time in Tests when the truce was finally signed.