Manjrekar Critiques Stokes for Spoiled Kid Behavior After India’s Strong Stand in Manchester Test
Manchester: In a thrilling fourth Test against England, Team India managed to secure a hard-fought draw, impressing fans and experts alike. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised the Indian team for demonstrating warrior-like spirit in every match. He also criticized English skipper Ben Stokes, calling him a “spoiled kid” for his reaction when India refused to settle for a draw until all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar achieved their centuries.
In a match that unfolded with intense competitiveness, India showcased remarkable resilience, especially from players like skipper Shubman Gill, Jadeja, and Sundar, who all contributed by scoring centuries. Their phenomenal performances seemed to rattle Stokes, who is usually confident and aggressive on the field. Rather than continuing to push for a victory, Stokes tried to persuade the Indian team to agree to a draw, but the visitors stood firm, motivated by their players nearing individual milestones.
Manjrekar highlighted how England’s frustration was palpable. “You could tell they were rattled under pressure,” he noted during a discussion on JioStar’s ‘Match Centre Live.’ He pointed out that England has shifted away from considering draws since Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum adopted the ‘Bazball’ approach aimed at attacking cricket. “This match felt like a win for India, even though the result was a draw. The young Indian batting line-up continues to surprise,” Manjrekar explained.
He pointed out the unexpected dynamics of the match, especially since England didn’t capitalize on their home advantage. Stokes, who typically leads his team with a bold strategy, even opted not to enforce his usual practice of batting first after winning the toss, a move he made for the first time against India. “This draw is significant because it showcases how India is forcing Stokes to rethink his strategies,” said Manjrekar.
He went on to describe Stokes as increasingly frustrated, unusual for a player who is used to dominating at home. “When you see a captain looking so unsettled, you know the opposing team is making an impact,” he added. After watching Jadeja and Washington bat for hours, both nearing their centuries, there was no way India would accept Stokes’ declaration offer for a quick draw.
Manjrekar emphasized the rising profile of Washington Sundar and continued excellence of Jadeja in this series. “Washington is proving his worth as a proper all-rounder, while Jadeja is becoming more of a batting all-rounder,” he noted. Their performances have sparked discussions about India’s lineup strategy going forward. With Rishabh Pant out, Sundar could potentially fill the fifth batting position while allowing for the selection of Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist spinner.
“Sundar has also excelled with the ball, making him a versatile option. This changes everything for India, who might no longer think of needing an extra batter,” he added. Manjrekar elaborated on how Sundar’s contributions might lead India to rely less on additional batting options and consider strategic changes for upcoming matches.
In terms of match statistics, Sundar has been impressive with 205 runs in six innings, averaging 1.25, including a century. He has also grabbed seven wickets at an average of 35.85.
The match itself saw England choose to field first. India’s innings featured solid half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (158), Sai Sudharsan (61), and Rishabh Pant (54), helping the team accumulate a total of 358 runs, despite Stokes’ efforts (5/72) to restrict their scoring. In response, England’s batting displayed a remarkable performance, with notable contributions from Zak Crawley (84), Ben Duckett (94), Joe Root (150), and Stokes (141), ultimately setting a massive target for India.
Despite a shaky start where India lost two quick wickets, KL Rahul (90) and skipper Shubman Gill (103) formed a resilient partnership. Followed by Jadeja (107) and Sundar (101), India’s batting depth proved crucial, allowing them to conclude at 425/4, ultimately leading to a draw.
With the series still alive at 1-2, all eyes are now on the final test match set to take place at The Oval starting July 31.
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