Ben Stokes and Shubman Gill are unhappy with the scheduling of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, pointing out the heavy workload of the players. The ongoing five-match series has seen just a three-day gap between the second and third Test and again between the fourth and fifth.

There was a long break between the series opener and the second Test at Edgbaston and the third and fourth encounters, but the other contests have seen minimal turnaround, leaving the players less time to recover. Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth Test at The Oval due to a right shoulder injury. On the other hand, India have also been impacted by injuries.

“The gaps should have been a little better in a five-game series. You had two eight-nine-day turnarounds and two three-day turnarounds. It would have been better if you could make it five for every game,” Ben Stokes said.

The English skipper highlighted the demanding nature of a long Test series on fast bowlers. “It has been tough for England and India. Bowlers have bowled a lot of overs. We need to ask about the inconsistency in breaks,” he added.

India captain Shubman Gill spoke on similar lines, with every match going to the final day.

“The matches have gone to the fifth day, and it is hard on the players. Three days’ turnaround is too short, and both teams have given their all in the matches. We understand that if you keep a five or six-day gap after every match, the tour would become long. It is a decision taken by the boards,” he said.

The comments made by the two captains renewed the focus on the need for balanced scheduling.