India, July 27 -- What began as a herculean effort for a hard-fought draw in Manchester threatened to boil over in its final moments, as Ben Stokes' offer to settle for a draw with 15 overs remaining in the day's play was first met with a polite refusal, and then a stormy fallout. With India well ahead on 386/4 after 138 overs and a lead of 75, the match was headed towards an inevitable draw. But the Indian camp had other ideas.

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both nearing their centuries, didn't budge when Stokes walked up to suggest calling it off. In fact, they asked to carry on. The England captain, visibly bemused, shook his head in disbelief and trudged back, muttering under his breath. Moments later, the stump mic caught Ha...