Veteran Indian cricketer R Ashwin has strongly criticized England’s approach during the drawn fourth Test, calling their actions “double standards.” The dramatic moment came when England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake near the final hour of the match, suggesting both teams call it a draw. But with Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja (on 89) and Washington Sundar (on 80) approaching well-deserved centuries, India chose to continue.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, did not hold back.
“Have you heard the term double standards? They played your bowlers all day and suddenly when our players are close to their hundreds, you want to walk off? Why should they?”
India finally agreed to draw the match—but only after both batters reached their centuries. For Washington, it was his first-ever Test century, a moment he and the team clearly didn’t want to miss.
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England’s Tactics Under Fire
Ben Stokes later claimed he wanted to protect his tired bowlers, but that didn’t sit well with many in the cricket world.
Sunil Gavaskar, also commenting on the matter, said if he were captain, he’d have batted all 15 remaining overs.
“Keep batting and keep them on the field,” he said on Sony Sports.
Stokes, possibly in frustration, even taunted Jadeja, asking if he really wanted a century “against Harry Brook”—a part-time bowler. But Ashwin responded sharply:
“You bring Brook, not us. A hundred is a hundred, whether it’s against a top pacer or part-timer. Washington and Jadeja earned it.”
Global Cricket Community Supports India
Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin backed India’s decision, calling England’s behavior poor sportsmanship:
“Just because they can’t win, they wanted the match to end? India earned the right to stay and finish their innings.”
Even former England captains supported India.
Alastair Cook said continuing the innings gave India momentum heading into the final Test.
Nasser Hussain added that England looked “silly” by offering a draw and then bowling Harry Brook.
“Two lads worked hard. They deserved to get their Test hundreds,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.
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Final Word: Test Centuries Are Earned
Ashwin ended the debate with a strong message:
“Test centuries aren’t gifts. They are earned. India did nothing wrong. It was their right to play.”
With the series still alive, the final Test at The Oval now holds even more tension—not just in scoreline, but in spirit.
