By Suraj Nandrekar
In a gripping Test match at Manchester, India displayed resilience, grit, and a refusal to bow under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar stood tall amidst a collapse, batting with poise and purpose against a full-strength England attack.
In contrast, England—led by Ben Stokes—responded with petty jibes and misplaced condescension. After the match, Stokes’s pointed comment to Jadeja—“You’re going to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?”—was not only dismissive but entirely unfounded.
Let’s set the record straight. Neither Jadeja nor Sundar built their innings off a part-timer. They faced the likes of James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, and Jack Leach in challenging conditions. By the time Brook was brought on, it wasn’t India who had taken the easy route—it was England who had mentally checked out. Brook’s introduction wasn’t a tactical ploy; it was an admission of defeat. England’s bowlers had run out of answers, and rather than protect their dignity, the team opted to hide behind a part-time option.
If Stokes was so concerned about the integrity of the match or the “value” of runs scored against Brook, perhaps he should have taken the ball himself.
Leadership means standing up when your side is faltering – not lashing out after the fact. Jadeja and Sundar were under no obligation to retire, slow down, or “respect” a token gesture. They earned the right to their milestones, and the insinuation that their runs were somehow cheapened is both insulting and hypocritical.
England’s indignation becomes even more hollow when you remember their past. When Rishabh Pant hobbled out to bat injured, English bowlers relentlessly targeted his leg.
No quarter was given, and none was expected. That’s part of the game—but so is being consistent. You can’t weaponise aggression when it suits you, and then cry foul when your opponent refuses to yield.
And let’s not forget the ultimate irony: Ben Stokes was the beneficiary of one of cricket’s most controversial outcomes – the 2019 World Cup final, where England were handed the trophy on a boundary countback. If ever there was a moment to pause before speaking of “spirit” or “honour,” that would be it.
England would do well to look inward. India outplayed them, not just in skill but in character. If England wants to reclaim their status as a top Test side, it need to focus less on mockery and more on maturity. The pitch doesn’t lie, and neither do results. Test cricket is a game of endurance and mental strength—qualities India showed in abundance, and England, sadly, did not.
