ENG vs IND: “They're nearing hundreds, you want to walk off?”- Ravichandran Ashwin fumes at Ben Stokes for his 'double-standards' over handshake drama

Ben Stokes was irked when Indian batters refused to shake hands to end the Manchester test.

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has come to the defence of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar after they were attacked for choosing personal milestones over Ben Stokes’ handshake offering late on day five of the recent Manchester test.

Jadeja was on 89* and Sundar on 80* when the mandatory 15 overs began at the end of the day, and this was when Ben Stokes walked up to them, offering a handshake and calling the game a draw. However, Jadeja and Sundar refused to shake hands and instead focused on their drinks and bananas.

This sent Ben Stokes and England players into a bout of fury and frustration, as they wanted to go off knowing that the match would end in a draw, but Sundar and Jadeja wanted to complete their respective centuries.

Their refusal irked the England captain, who sarcastically questioned whether they wanted to score hundreds against part-time bowler Harry Brook. Jadeja responded with his bat, dispatching Brook for a six to bring up his century.

Jadeja and Sundar finally shook hands for a draw once Sundar completed his maiden and well-deserved century.

“Heard the term ‘double standards’?” – Ravichandran Ashwin slams Ben Stokes for batting on in their innings

However, Ashwin, on his YouTube channel, was furious at Ben Stokes and his attempt to keep Sundar and Jadeja from reaching their centuries. He also slammed the England captain for getting irritated and bowling Harry Brook, showing poor spirit of cricket, just because Jadeja refused the handshake.

“Have you heard the term double standards? They played your bowlers all day, batted you out, and suddenly, when they’re nearing hundreds, you want to walk off? Why should they?!” Ashwin fumed. “You ask, ‘You want to make a hundred against Harry?’ Not Brook, brother.

“You’re shaking hands and saying I’m the one who’s frustrated, and then you also don’t score a hundred. You also cry and leave. How is this possible? You are saying I am unhappy… He has played all your bowlers. And now he has gone towards the draw. And he has worked hard since morning and reached here.

And should he leave 100 and go? And what was your question? You want to make a 100 against Harry Brook. No, brother. He wants to make a 100. Please bring Steve Harmison. Bring Andrew Flintoff. He didn’t refuse. You are bowling to Harry Brook. It’s your fault. It’s not our fault.” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin argued that if he were captain, he would’ve played the full quota of overs.

“My question is, as an international team captain who understands the spirit of cricket completely, and you are the brand ambassador for the spirit of cricket, you should have bowled 15 overs with Harry Brook. It would have been a great advertisement for the spirit of cricket. It would have been an amazing advertisement,” he added.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.