Rohan Chowdhury at The Oval
Play was curtailed right towards the end of the first session on the first morning of the final Test between England and India at The Oval, as a sudden heavy shower forced the players off the field. An early lunch was taken with India at 72 for 2.
Given the overcast conditions and a lively, green pitch — arguably the most bowler-friendly surface of the series — India’s skipper Shubman Gill would have dearly loved to win the toss. But it was England who called correctly. It was Gill’s fifth straight toss loss in the series. Despite the advantage, however, England bowlers struggled initially to fully capitalise on the conditions.
There was ample bounce and movement on offer, but a lack of control from England’s seamers, notably Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton, saw several wayward deliveries racing to the boundary, often accompanied by extras. The pressure they might have built was repeatedly released.
Gus Atkinson, returning to the XI for his first appearance in this series, provided the early breakthrough. In just the third over, he removed Yashasvi Jaiswal with a delivery angled in from a good length. There was some confusion with two sounds — bat and pad — but skipper Ollie Pope, in absence of Ben Stokes, showed conviction in opting for DRS. The review confirmed the ball had missed the bat and struck Jaiswal plumb in front. LBW, and India were 10 for 1.
Chris Woakes bowled only four overs in his opening spell, likely due to workload management as people thought. He and India’s Mohammed Siraj are the only fast bowlers to have played all five Tests in the series. Woakes returned to the attack after the first hour and made an immediate impact. KL Rahul once again fell to a familiar pattern — undone by an angling delivery that seamed in with bounce. Caught in two minds, he dragged it onto his stumps via an inside edge. A near replica of his dismissals in the second innings at Headingley (against Brydon Carse) and at Edgbaston (against Woakes), this time Rahul departed for 18.
Sai Sudharsan, at No. 3, looked composed and assured in his approach. Together with Gill, he steadied the Indian innings, showing patience and poise. The pair added some much-needed calm, navigating a tricky phase before rain once again made its presence felt, forcing the players — and later, the groundstaff — off the field. The umpires decided to take an early lunch.
Despite the helpful conditions, England’s inability to maintain consistent pressure while India losing two wickets, would perhaps might be called a shared session.
Lunch Scorecard:
India 72/2
Sai Sudharsan 25*
Shubman Gill 15*
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news