London, July 30 — Indian captain Shubman Gill said Ben Stokes’ absence from the fifth and final Test at The Oval is a major blow to England. Stokes has been ruled out due to a right shoulder injury.
“He always makes something happen whether with the bat or ball. From their perspective, it’s definitely a loss,” Gill said during the pre-match press briefing.
Stokes has been England’s standout performer this series, scoring 304 runs at an average of 43.42, including a century. With 17 wickets, he leads the wicket charts and was named Player of the Match in both the third and fourth Tests.
Despite the setback for England, Gill acknowledged that every player representing their nation comes prepared and competitive.
Praising young Indian batter Sai Sudharsan, who made a return in the fourth Test, Gill said, “He scored a fifty in the first innings. Getting out on a duck in the second can happen to anyone. But I think someone said it was his first fifty outside India in a couple of years, so that’s a big plus.”
Gill also lauded all-rounder Washington Sundar for his consistent contributions with both bat and ball.
“With Washington, we get control in bowling. His batting is a big plus. In the lower middle order, we needed reinforcement, and he’s given us that,” the skipper remarked.
In this series, Sundar has impressed with 205 runs in six innings at an average of 51.25, including a century. He has also taken seven wickets in five innings, with best figures of 4/22 at Lord’s. Overall, in 12 Tests, Sundar has scored 673 runs at 44.86 and taken 32 wickets at 27.87.
India leads the series 2-1 going into the final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
