London, Aug 22: Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar could have already been out if England had appealed for a stumping late on day four of the Oval Test.

Tendulkar had scored 34 in India's second innings when England failed to appeal for a stumping on Sunday.

England off-spinner Graeme Swann, meanwhile, joked that he wasn't aware of the stumping at the time.

"It's not exactly the brains trust who field around the stumps! I'm surprised Matt Prior didn't appeal though because he appeals for everything," the Sun quoted Swann, as saying.

"We don't want Tendulkar staying around for too long," he added.

India have already lost the four-match series 3-0, and the prospect of whitewash is looming large in the ongoing fourth and final Test.

At the close of the fourth day's play, India were reeling at 129-3, still trailing by 162.

Tendulkar, who received another standing ovation in what may be his last Test innings in England, was unbeaten on 35, with Amit Mishra on eight. (ANI)