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Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has thrown his weight behind Ben Stokes following the handshake controversy during the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford.
The Three Lions captain, Stokes, has been under fire regarding his behavior during the final few moments of the Manchester Test.
With India’s batters, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, nearing their centuries on Sunday, England offered India the option to shake hands and accept the draw; however, the visitors chose to stay on the field until both batters completed their tons.
As a result, England utilized their part-time bowlers and allowed Harry Brook to bowl until the final moments against the Indian batters.
Now, Kevin Pietersen has come out in the defence of England’s captain and defended England’s frustration.
“Two days fielding and no result on the cards – you WANT to get off the field!” he wrote on X.
“You cannot have a pop at Stokes for his frustration. Very easy to have a pop at him when you’re sitting in your lounge watching. You’re NOT in the battle. Leave the men in the ring to be emotional,” Kevin Pitersen added.
Ben Stokes has been heavily criticized for shaking hands despite Indian batters playing in their nineties.
Earlier, England legend Geoffrey Boycott also criticized England’s approach during the final hour of the Test match.
“What goes around comes around. England were gobby enough when it suited them, so you can’t blame India for wanting to stay on and allow two batsmen who had worked their socks off to reach their hundreds,” Boycott wrote in a British outlet.
“Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar deserved their hundreds. They left the ball well, played with the full face of the bat, and defended their wickets at all costs. Well done.”
He highlighted the Indian batters’ resilience and said that he would have done the same as Jadeja and Sundar did.
“These India players are tough cookies. They do not take a backward step. There is no way I would have let anyone drag me off on 89 after I had worked hard all day to save the game for my team,” Geoffrey Boycott wrote.
It is worth noting that India managed to salvage a draw despite England’s substantial lead. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar starred with tons and managed to keep the series alive.
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