Ben Stokes Loses Respect Over One Shocking Act — Former India Star Slams England Captain!
Ben Stokes may have delivered a stellar performance with both bat and ball in the Manchester Test, but one fiery moment at the end of the match has cost him more than just goodwill — it’s cost him respect. That’s the view of former India batter Mohammad Kaif, who didn’t hold back in criticizing the England captain’s behavior during the final hour of the game.
India, who were staring down the barrel at 0/2 early in their second innings while trailing by 311 runs, clawed their way back into the contest. Heroic centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar — along with a gritty 90 from KL Rahul — saw India salvage a hard-earned draw. Yet, all the talk after the match wasn’t about India’s fightback, but about what happened after England realized they couldn’t win.
With just 15 overs remaining and the match clearly heading toward a draw, Stokes approached Indian batters Jadeja and Sundar to shake hands — a clear signal that England was ready to call it a day. But the Indian duo declined. Why? They were both nearing personal milestones. Jadeja was in sight of a well-deserved hundred, and Sundar was on track to join him.
Stokes didn’t take the refusal lightly. Cameras caught him in a tense, animated exchange with Jadeja, visibly unhappy with India’s decision to continue batting. That single moment sparked outrage on social media and drew sharp words from Mohammad Kaif.
“Ben Stokes has lost respect because of one moment when he wanted to stop the game,” Kaif said in an Instagram video.
“Why would we want to do that? You weren’t able to bowl out India despite having two full days. I don’t understand what he was trying to do by stopping the game.”
Kaif also acknowledged Stokes’ brilliant on-field performance — a century with the bat and a five-wicket haul — but insisted that such moments of frustration undo years of earned admiration.
“It takes years to earn respect and just one moment to lose it. Today was that moment for Ben Stokes,” he added.
Cricket purists are split over the incident. Some argue that once the result is inevitable, it’s sporting to end the match. Others believe personal milestones, especially in a high-pressure series, matter just as much — especially when they come from a hard-fought effort to save the game.
The controversy has now added more fuel to an already heated series. As the final Test at The Oval approaches, all eyes will not just be on the scoreline but also on how Stokes and the Indian team carry themselves after this awkward flashpoint.
Has Stokes really lost respect, or was it just a heat-of-the-moment reaction from a fierce competitor? Either way, the cricket world will be watching — closely.
