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India vs England 2025 4th Test Ends in Controversy: Ben Stokes vs Jadeja Drama on Day 5
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- Name
- Jagadish V Gaikwad
🏏 India vs England Test 2025 Ends in Heated Drama
The fourth Test of the India tour of England 2025 wrapped up at Old Trafford, Manchester — but not without controversy. What started as a gripping final day ended in a viral face-off between Ben Stokes and Indian stars Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
If you missed the match or the headlines, here's the full match summary, controversial moment, and what players and pundits had to say.
📊 Final Day Match Summary
- India scored 425/4 in their second innings.
- With the clock ticking and the pitch offering little help to bowlers, Ben Stokes offered a draw, effectively acknowledging that a result was no longer possible. What followed, though, was far from ordinary.
As the Indian batters looked to wind things down, England’s tactics took a bizarre turn. Stokes brought on part-time bowlers, including Harry Brook, and set unusually aggressive fields — more to provoke than to attack. It was a clear sign of England’s frustration, as they realized they couldn’t force a win despite leading the series 2-1.
India, trailing in the series and needing a win to level it 2-2, had done everything to push the game forward. But with no real time left to bowl England out again, the match fizzled into a draw but one with a controversial ending.
🤯 What Triggered the Controversy?
With India comfortably batting out the day, Ben Stokes made a bold — and arguably bizarre — move:
➡️ He brought in Harry Brook, a part-time batter, to bowl the final overs of the day.
What followed?
- Jadeja, who was batting on 94, didn’t push for the century.
- Washington Sundar played defensively.
- England players walked off the field mid-over before the scheduled close of play.
- Ben Stokes then refused to shake hands with Jadeja, sparking an on-field exchange of words.
🎙️ Reactions: Stokes vs Jadeja & Sundar
Ben Stokes reportedly told Jadeja:
“If you really wanted a century, you could’ve taken it. We gave it to you.”
To which Jadeja responded:
“We don’t play for gifts. We play hard cricket.”
🔥 What Experts Said
🗣️ Nasser Hussain (Former England Captain):
“Bringing on Harry Brook in that situation was silly. It sends the wrong message. It’s Test cricket, not village cricket.”
🗣️ Harsha Bhogle:
“This isn’t how a proud cricketing nation behaves when losing. This was poor sportsmanship.”
🧠 Analysis: Was Stokes Out of Line?
There’s no denying Ben Stokes is a passionate cricketer. But this time, his competitive spirit may have crossed a line.
- Trying to bait Jadeja into chasing a century with a part-timer felt condescending.
- Walking off mid-over was against the spirit of the game.
- The handshake refusal and verbal jibes soured what was a beautiful Test series.
On social media, fans from both sides debated fiercely. Many England fans backed Stokes, while most Indian fans saw it as unsporting.
🏁 Series Summary: India Tour of England 2025
| Match | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | England won by 5 wickets | England |
| 2nd Test | India won by 336 runs | India |
| 3rd Test | England won by 22 runs | England |
| 4th Test | Draw (Controversy) | – |
| 5th Test | Yet to be played | England leads series 2-1 |
🧾 What This Means for the Game
Moments like these highlight how Test cricket still burns with raw emotion — but it also raises questions:
- Should captains use mind games in dead rubbers?
- Should the ICC intervene in sportsmanship matters?
- Are player codes of conduct being enforced fairly?
📝 Final Word
Cricket thrives on drama, but there’s a line between intensity and disrespect.
The Ben Stokes vs Jadeja clash will be remembered — not for the stats, but for the spark it lit at the end of a thrilling series.
As we head toward the next test match, the India vs England rivalry just got a whole lot spicier.