Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar claimed that England had dished out a green top pitch for the fifth and final Test against India because they don’t have a lot of wicket-taking options in their ranks.

Skipper Ben Stokes, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse are not available for England at The Oval and their revamped XI includes Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue.

“Arrey unke paas koi bowling hi hain nahi (They don’t have much of a bowling attack). this is why they have made such a pitch. Stokes has taken wickets, Archer has taken wickets and Carse has taken wickets. If they are not in your team, who will take wickets? This is why they have made such a pitch so that it helps bowlers like Tongue and Co,” Gavaskar said while speaking on Sony Sports.

Stokes was ruled out of the series-decider due to an injury to his right shoulder, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday (July 30).

A statement from ECB announcing the England playing XI for the Oval Test said that besides Stokes, Archer, Dawson, and Carse will also miss the game.

Stokes has been crucial to England’s fortunes in the series against India. With the ball, he has been relentless, leading the wicket-taker’s list with 17 scalps to his name at an average of 25.23, with best figures of 5/72. He has also won two Player of the Match awards.

Stokes has been impressive with the bat as well, amassing 304 runs in seven innings at an average of 43.42, including a century to his credit.

The fate of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy hangs on the fifth Test with England ahead with a 2-1 margin.