ENG vs IND: "I was not going to bowl my bowlers"- Ben Stokes breaks silence on handshake controversy, says India has move on from it

Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth test at the Oval.

England skipper Ben Stokes has broken his silence on the handshake controversy from the fourth test in Manchester. During the third session on day five, Stokes urged Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to shake hands and end the match.

However, Jadeja and Sundar, who were nearing their centuries, did not accept Stokes’ offer to end the match. The England captain got a little irritated over the incident and also exchanged some words with both Indian batters. Jadeja and Sundar slammed centuries to help India end the match in a draw.

England needed to dismiss India on day five to win the encounter. However, Jadeja and Sundar powered India to 425/4 with their centuries. After Jadeja and Sundar reached their centuries, they shook hands with oppostion and the match ended in a draw.

I was not going to bowl my bowlers – Ben Stokes

While speaking in the press conference ahead of The Oval test, Stokes said that he did not want his bowlers to bowl more overs.

“I understand why Jadeja and Sundar wanted to get their 100s but I was not going to bowl my bowlers. We are over it, India are over it. Let’s not focus on those 20 minutes, it has been a great series”, he said.

Notably, Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth test due to an injury. Ollie Pope will lead England in the encounter in his absence. Stokes said he was disappointed to miss the last game.

“Disappointed to not finish the series. I have a decent tear in the muscle I can’t pronounce. Will start rehabing now for the winter. Was going to put my feet up anyway after the series, so doesn’t matter”, he said.

Other than Stokes, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Liam Dawson will also miss the fifth test. Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Jacob Bethell have been added to the playing XI in their place.

Meanwhile, India will miss the services of Rishabh Pant and also, Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the fifth test. Akash Deep is in line to replace Bumrah in the playing XI. India trail 2-1 in the series and need to win the fifth test to end the series in a draw. The encounter will commence on July 31 at The Oval, London.

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