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Jadeja-Sundar Continued, But Kohli Once Chose To Draw One Short Of A Milestone

Kaushik Kashyap

Alastair Cook and Virat Kohli. [Source - AP]Alastair Cook and Virat Kohli. [Source - AP]

England and India produced yet another enthralling Test match, this time in Manchester, ending in a tense draw. But the real drama unfolded when Indian batters Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, nearing Test centuries, refused to shake hands for draw. The moment turned back the clock to 2016, when Indian Captain Virat Kohli selflessly agreed to a draw while being one short of a milestone.

Flashback to 2016 when Kohli Shook Hands One Short of Fifty

It was the first Test of a five-match series when England toured India back in 2016. Both the teams battled hard over the first four days at Rajkot . On Day 5, England declared their second innings, setting India a target of 310 with just over 50 overs left in the day. The game was evenly poised.

India’s chase began on shaky ground. Gautam Gambhir fell for a duck, followed quickly by Cheteshwar Pujara. Murali Vijay got a start but could not convert, and Ajinkya Rahane also departed cheaply. At 4 down, India looked vulnerable with England sensing an opportunity, especially with Kohli the only set batter in the middle.

Despite the setbacks, the Indian skipper remained composed. He built crucial stands with Ravichandran Ashwin and later Ravindra Jadeja to steady the ship. As overs ticked away, England’s hopes of forcing a result faded. India navigated the tricky phase with composed resistance and rock-solid defense.

Eventually, with India at 172/6 in 52.3 overs, England offered the draw and Kohli, batting on 49*, chose not to chase a personal milestone and shook hands. It was a gesture of grace under pressure. The match was drawn, but Kohli’s selfless act became the bigger story which is doing rounds again after the Sunday’s handshake-saga with Ben Stokes at Old Trafford.