Before the fifth Test against England at The Oval, Indian skipper Shubman Gill mentioned that England will surely miss Stokes, who is out with a right shoulder injury for the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Gill said Stokes has been a key player for England in this series, doing well with both batting and bowling when it matters most. In four games, he has scored 304 runs with an average of 43.42, including one century. He has also been England’s best bowler, taking 17 wickets, which is the most in the series so far. He was named Player of the Match in both the third and fourth Tests.
Gill told the media, It’s a big loss for England. He makes things interesting whenever he bowls or bats. He always makes something happen. So, I think it is definitely a loss for them. But the players who get a chance to play for their country are always competitive and bring a lot to the game.
Gill also gave credit to Indian batter Sai Sudharsan for his fifty in the last game and didn’t think he played badly. Sai, who was back in the team for the fourth Test after being left out, scored a key fifty in the first innings but was out for no runs in the second.
Gill said, He scored a half-century in the last Test, so I think he had a good game. Getting out on the first ball can happen to anyone. Someone told me he scored a half-century outside of India after two or three years. That’s great for us.
Gill also praised all-rounder Washington Sundar for his bowling in the series and thinks his batting has been a big help for India. They feel lucky to have players like him.
He added, Washington gives us a lot of control with his bowling. His batting has really helped us. We are lucky to have players like him who can stop a collapse when it happens. We knew we needed to improve our lower middle order, and with him in the team, I think we have.
In the three Tests of this series, Sundar has scored 205 runs in six innings, averaging 51.25, with one century. He has also taken seven wickets in five innings, averaging 35.85, with his best being 4/22 at Lord’s.
Sundar has been a valuable player with the bat for India, scoring 673 runs in 12 matches and 22 innings at an average of 44.86, with one century and four fifties. He has also taken 32 wickets at an average of 27.87, with his best being 7/59, including one five-wicket haul and one ten-wicket haul.