The fourth Test between India and England at Manchester concluded in a draw, but not without a hefty dose of controversy stirred by England captain Ben Stokes. With India batting to save the Test and Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar approaching their respective centuries, Stokes offered to shake hands and call off the match, a proposal that was declined by the Indian duo. This refusal seemingly irked Stokes, leading to actions that have been widely criticized as unsportsmanlike.

As the final hour of play approached, with Jadeja and Sundar batting on 89 and 80 respectively, Stokes, recognizing that a win for England was unattainable, offered to end the match. However, the Indian batsmen, having fought hard to salvage a draw from a precarious position, were keen to reach their centuries. They exercised their right to continue batting, a decision that clearly frustrated Stokes.

In response, Stokes introduced Harry Brook into the attack. Brook's bowling appeared to lack any serious intent, with deliveries described as full tosses, seemingly aimed at allowing the batsmen to score easy runs and reach their milestones quickly. This tactic was perceived by many as a sarcastic and disrespectful gesture, undermining the efforts of Jadeja and Sundar. Former England captain Nasser Hussain described Stokes' decision to bring Brook into the attack as "silly". Michael Atherton, another former England captain, labeled Brook's bowling as "farcical".

Stokes later stated that he didn't want to risk his main bowlers with the draw inevitable and the final Test just days away. However, this explanation did little to quell the criticism, with many suggesting that his actions were driven more by frustration than strategic considerations.

The incident sparked debate among cricket fans and experts alike. Some felt that Stokes was within his rights to try and preserve his bowlers' energy, while others argued that his behavior was disrespectful to the opposition and against the spirit of the game.

Gautam Gambhir, the India head coach, questioned whether England would have acted similarly if their own batsmen were on the verge of centuries. Sanjay Manjrekar described Stokes as behaving like a "spoilt kid".

Despite the tension, Jadeja and Sundar maintained their composure, ultimately reaching their centuries. Jadeja even responded to Stokes's apparent sarcasm by hitting Brook for a six to complete his hundred. However, it was noted that the England team refrained from applauding the Indian batsmen's achievements, further fueling the perception of poor sportsmanship.

The controversy surrounding Stokes's actions overshadowed what was otherwise a hard-fought Test match. While his desire to manage his bowlers' workload is understandable, the manner in which he attempted to hasten the end of the match left a sour taste, raising questions about his conduct as captain and the values he represents on the field.