Former Indian cricketer turned analyst Aakash Chopra has called for an end to the hype around the ‘honours board’ on certain grounds, after the England skipper Ben Stokes disregarded individual milestones.
The India vs England series has almost reached an end, as the series decider will be played on the 31st of July at The Oval. England might be leading the series 2-1, but India has also been promising at several junctures of the series.
However, despite intense cricket action, the series has also witnessed several controversies, one of which includes the recent denial by Ravindra Jadeja when Ben Stokes offered a friendly handshake to end the fourth Test 15 overs earlier to settle for a draw.
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Ravindra Jadeja denied the English skipper’s offer; Backed by the Captain and Coach on the decision at Manchester
Ravindra Jadeja has also been the other Indian player alongside skipper Shubman Gill, who has established a newer side of himself, especially with the bat. Jadeja has remained unbeaten on several occasions, alongside scoring 4 half-centuries and now a century as well. The batter has amassed 400+ runs with an average over 110.
After India was given a huge target of 311 runs by the English batters, there was a high risk of India losing the series throughout the two days’ play left at Manchester. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul started with the fightback for India after the two early wickets in the first over of the second innings.
After the record partnership ended between the two batters, which lasted for 417 balls, Washington Sundar was sent in ahead of Jadeja or Pant in the Indian batting lineup. Jadeja and Sundar then took charge of the Indian innings batting throughout two sessions on Day 5, and piled 203 runs in a partnership between the two.
When the chances of any possible conclusion ended for the match, the English skipper Ben Stokes offered a handshake to the Indian batters in an attempt to end the match in an early draw. Jadeja and Sundar denied the offer and batted for 5 more overs to reach their respective hundreds.
Both the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and the Indian skipper Shubman Gill have backed Jadeja for the decision.
Ben Stokes clears his stand on handshake row
After some players criticized Ben Stokes’ offer for a handshake when the two Indian batters were on the brink of their hundreds, the English skipper has come forward to take a stance for himself.
He has clearly mentioned that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have played two ideal innings and have earned the respect by saving the match for India; hence, he did not feel the importance of a century or any other personal record.
He claimed that walking off after a well-made 80-90 runs, having done the job for your team, is equally prestigious as a milestone like a century. After his statement, former English batter Jonathan Trott came in his support, claiming that the English team would have accepted had Shubman Gill proposed a similar handshake.
After Ben Stokes, as well as several English players, repeatedly criticized Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for claiming personal milestones, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has reversed the attack towards them.
“If England is likely to promote cricket that doesn’t celebrate individual milestones, there’s merit in dialling down the hype around the ‘honours board’ in certain grounds,” wrote Aakash Chopra on his X handle.
If England is likely to promote cricket that doesn’t celebrate individual milestones, there’s merit in dialling down the hype around the ‘honours board’ in certain grounds.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 29, 2025
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