It was the 138th over of the innings towards the end of the fifth day in the fourth Test of the five-match series at Old Trafford in Manchester, when Ben Stokes, the England captain, walked up to the India batters, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, to shake hands. But he was surprised when the two lads decided not to accept the proposal.

It was a shocker to the England side. The two batters, who worked hard in challenging conditions against the home attack, were keen to get the rewards. However, Stokes was aware of how his bowlers were being broken down during that period, and he didn’t want to take any risks. The former England captain, Nasser Hussain, sheds light on the incident.

See Also: Know what law suggests about India batters not shaking hands when Ben Stokes offered to call off ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

‘I didn’t have a problem with it. I know, England seemed to have a problem with it. They had tired bowlers, tired legs, and tired bodies. They wanted to get off. But two lads worked hard to get into the 80s. In the 90s, they wanted Test match centuries. Stokes didn’t have to bowl Brook, and it looked a bit silly in the end. But we make far too many things with these,’ Hussain expressed on Sky Sports Cricket.

Watch: Nasser Hussain reacts to India refusing to shake hands in Eng vs Ind 4th Test in Manchester

The general rule states that there is no restriction on players shaking hands with each other to call the game off. It’s the earliest point in the last hour when a mutual agreement could signal the green light for the decision.

"I didn't have a problem with it, they deserved to be there at the end"

Nasser Hussain on the final few overs play at Old Trafford 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/FrWukypZQd

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 27, 2025

‘They wanted well; they deserved to draw; they deserved to be there at the end. Only England’s second-ever draw under this Bazball ratio. The other one was also at this ground because of the rain. This one is drawn because England wouldn’t roll over, and those two left-handed batters were brilliant.’ Nasser added in the video.

Stokes later admitted in the press conference that with the next Test starting in three days, he was not too keen to take any chances with his main bowlers, who looked dead on their feet by the end of the clash.