Throwback: When Virat Kohli accepted England's offer to draw Test match as he was nearing milestone

A recently resurfaced video from the 2016–17 Rajkot Test between India and England has sparked a fresh debate, showcasing then-India captain Virat Kohli accepting England’s offer for a draw. This footage has gone viral, especially after India’s bold stance in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in July 2025, where Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar turned down a similar offer from Ben Stokes. The stark contrast between these two moments has ignited conversations about sportsmanship, intentions, and priorities during the nail-biting final moments of hard-fought Test matches.

During the 2016 Rajkot Test, England set India a challenging target of 310 runs in 49 overs on the last day. As wickets fell, Kohli, alongside Ashwin and Jadeja, steadied the innings, bringing India to 172/6. Although Kohli was just one run shy of his half-century, he chose to accept Alastair Cook’s offer to draw the match, putting team strategy and the match situation ahead of personal achievements. This decision was praised at the time for its practicality and the mutual respect shown between the teams.

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Fast forward to July 2025 at Old Trafford, India faced a daunting 311-run deficit after England posted 669 in the first innings. Despite early setbacks, Indian batters mounted a stellar comeback, with Gill (103), Rahul (90), Jadeja (107*), and Sundar (101*) leading the charge. As India reached 386/4 late on Day 5, Stokes offered a handshake to draw the match. However, the Indian batters declined, choosing to continue and complete their centuries, sparking conversation about changing attitudes in high-stakes cricket.

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Unlike in 2016, Jadeja and Sundar chose not to accept the draw offer. Both batters were in their 90s and were determined to reach personal milestones while also sealing India’s remarkable comeback in style. Their decision left the English camp visibly frustrated. In response, Ben Stokes handed the ball to part-timer Harry Brook. Jadeja reached his century with a towering six, and Sundar soon followed with his maiden Test hundred. Although initially disappointed, Stokes later commended the Indian duo, explaining that his offer stemmed from a packed schedule and concern for his frontline bowlers.