A largely drama-free Test match in Manchester took a sharp twist in the final hour as England captain Ben Stokes approached Indian batters Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, offering a draw. But with both batters nearing personal milestones, they refused the gesture, continuing to play on. What followed was a remark from Stokes that stirred controversy: “You want to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?”
The comment didn’t sit well with Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who responded strongly on his YouTube channel.
Ravichandran Ashwin Calls Out “Double Standards”
Ashwin didn’t mince words, openly criticizing Stokes’ behavior and questioning his sportsmanship. “Have you heard the term double standards? What is double standards?” Ashwin said. “You shake hands and then say you’re frustrated. You also don’t make a hundred, you also cry and go away.”
Taking direct aim at the implication that scoring against part-time bowler Harry Brook wasn’t worthy, Ashwin countered, “What was your question? ‘You want to make a hundred against Harry Brook?’ No, brother, he wants to make a hundred. Please bring Steve Harmison. Bring Flintoff. He didn’t say no.”
Ashwin also emphasized that it was England’s tactical choice to bring on a part-time bowler and not India’s fault for taking advantage of it.
Indian Batters Earn Gritty Draw, Face All England Bowlers
Jadeja and Sundar stitched together an unbeaten 203-run partnership off 334 balls, navigating through every England bowler’s challenge. From pace to spin, they held firm, ensuring a well-fought draw for India.
“Since morning, he played your Archer, played your Matthew Hoggard, played Darren Gough, played Andrew Flintoff—played all your bowlers. After putting in full hard work since morning, he has reached here—and now you expect him to leave the hundred and walk away?” Ashwin asked, clearly irritated.
He ended his response with a strong message: “That statement of his — ‘You want to get a hundred against Harry Brook?’ Of course he does! These are Test runs. He wants to get it, and he deserves it.”
This fiery exchange adds a surprising postscript to what had been a relatively controversy-free Test, putting the focus squarely back on cricketing values, personal milestones, and respect for the game.
