'Behaved Like A Spoilt Kid': Ex-Cricketers Criticise Ben Stokes For Bringing Harry Brook Into Attack After India Declines Early Finish

Manchester: Former England captain Nasser Hussain termed Ben Stokes' decision to bring Harry Brook into the attack after India declined his offer to end the fourth Test early as "silly", stating that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar fully deserved their centuries.

Jadeja and Washington were batting on 89 and 85 respectively before the start of the last hour of play when England skipper Ben Stokes, aware that a result was out of reach, offered to shake hands.

However, with milestones around the corner, the Indian batters refused, which didn't amuse Stokes, who then introduced Brook into the attack to bowl some deliberate full-tosses, allowing both to complete their well-deserved tons.

Fact Check: Did Ben Stokes Refuse To Shake Hands With Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar After End Of IND vs ENG, 4th Test? Here's The Truth

Former England Captain Nasser Hussain's Statement

"I didn't have a problem with it. England seemed to have a problem with it. They were a bit tired, tired bowlers so they wanted to get off but two lads worked hard to get to 80s and 90s and they wanted to get Test match hundreds," Hussain said on 'Sky Sports'.

"I didn't have a problem with it, they deserved to be there at the end"

Nasser Hussain on the final few overs play at Old Trafford 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/FrWukypZQd

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 27, 2025

IND Vs ENG, 4th Test: Ben Stokes Refuses To Shake Hands With Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar After "Handshake" Drama; Video

"Stokes didn't have to bowl Brook and look silly at the end. We make far too much of these things. They played well and all credit to India," Hussain said.

When Cheteshwar Pujara asked the same question to Washington Sundar, he sidestepped the issue.

"I think everyone saw on TV what happened and they all must have enjoyed it," Washington said on JioHotstar.

Former India Batter Sanjay Manjrekar's Statement

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar felt that Indian batters were well within their rights to continue unless there was an agreement prior that match will be called off before start of last hour of play.

"I think Ben Stokes in the end behaved like a spoilt kid," Manjrekar said on 'JioHotstar'.

"I would like to see what England would have done if two of their batsmen were nearing Test hundreds?"

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)