Harry Brook Caught in Centre of Test Match Tensions After Bowling Role, Unwanted Handshake

A dramatic finish to the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford saw Harry Brook inadvertently become the symbol of England's frustration. The young player who was usually known for his work with the bat was unexpectedly handed the ball late on Day Five. This was a move that drew widespread attention, not just for its strategic oddity but for what followed.

The Test ended in a draw, but the headlines were dominated by a viral moment where Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar refused to shake Brook's hand. This was minutes after teammate Ravindra Jadeja reached his century off Brook's bowling. The sequence of events capped a tension-filled day and added another layer of drama to an already fiery IND vs ENG series.

A Strategic Gesture Turns Symbolic

With England unable to break India's fifth-wicket stand and time running out, skipper Ben Stokes approached umpires to propose an early end to the match. But with Jadeja and Sundar closing in on personal milestones, the Indian batters declined the offer.

In a move many viewed as symbolic, Stokes tossed the ball to Brook, a part-time bowler, as India batted through the final overs. Jadeja immediately responded by launching Brook over the boundary to reach his hundred. The moment was caught live and later dissected across commentary panels, with Nasser Hussain describing it as "silly" and unnecessary.

Despite the gesture, Jadeja remained composed. When asked sarcastically by Stokes, 'Do you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?', he simply replied: 'I can't do anything'.

Viral Handshake Snub

The tension did not end there. After Jadeja's six brought up his century, Brook walked towards non-striker Sundar to offer a handshake. In a moment now widely circulated on social media, Sundar ignored the gesture and continued to celebrate with Jadeja.

Just 15 balls later, Sundar reached his own maiden Test century, also off Brook's bowling, before both teams finally agreed to shake hands and conclude the match. According to video footage, Brook appeared visibly baffled as his hand was left hanging during the celebrations.

The incident became a flashpoint for debate and featured prominently in the post-match fallout, as players and fans weighed in on the etiquette and emotions involved in the closing stages.

Stokes Defends the Decision

Stokes later explained why part-time bowlers like Brook and Joe Root were used instead of regular pace options. With frontline bowlers fatigued after India's 143-over rearguard effort and the series poised at 2–1, he was unwilling to risk injury.

'There was absolutely no chance I was going to risk any of my big fast bowlers', Stokes said during his post-match remarks, as reported by Nine.com.au.

India's captain Shubman Gill defended his team's decision to carry on batting. 'Both were in their nineties. We thought they deserved a century there', he said, while coach Gautam Gambhir echoed the sentiment, stating that players had earned their chance to achieve personal milestones.

Ashwin Weighs In

India's veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin added fuel to the controversy with sharp words for Stokes. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin accused Stokes of double standards, questioning the need to end the match early when Indian players had battled hard all day.

Ashwin particularly focused on the choice of Brook as a bowler, quipping, 'You're giving bowling to Harry Brook — that's your mistake, not ours', in remarks posted Monday.

He said that both Jadeja and Sundar had every right to continue batting, even suggesting he would have instructed them to play out the final 15 overs, not just until their centuries were reached.

Emotions Spill Over Ahead of Series Finale

As the India vs England series heads into its final Test at The Oval, the fallout from Old Trafford remains a talking point. Due to sarcastic sledges to handshake snubs and unusual tactics, Brook now finds himself part of a cricketing controversy that may be remembered long after the scoreboard is cleared.

Whether intended or not, Harry Brook's role in this episode has become a defining feature of a dramatic Test and a reminder of the fine line between sportsmanship and gamesmanship.