INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
Sudharsan and Gill led a steady rebuild after early strikes from Atkinson and Woakes © AFP
In conditions finally resembling what you expect in England, India were sent in under low, grey skies on a green-top at the Oval and dug in to reach 72 for 2 in 23 overs, slowly growing in confidence before rain forced an early Lunch.
This was the 15th time India lost the toss in a men’s international this year, and the fifth time in five games in this series. Predictably, it meant another brush with the pointy end of conditions, as has been the trend in this series. Yashasvi Jaiswal missed a sharp nip-backer from Gus Atkinson and was given out on review, as stand-in captain Ollie Pope, who had won his first toss in five attempts only minutes ago got a fielding review right for the first time in 14 tries.
Jaiswal’s dismissal followed a familiar pattern: it was the seventh time in nine innings that he was dismissed by a pacer bowling from around the wicket.
Atkinson, who made that initial breakthrough, was the standout bowler in the session, giving away just seven runs in a tight six-over burst. Chris Woakes looked rusty early on but settled into a better rhythm when his end was switched, eventually cramping KL Rahul with a hard-length ball that jagged back in and denied him the room to cut.
Those were the only two wickets to fall in a session filled with plays and misses but one that should have yielded more for England in the most bowling-friendly conditions of the series. Josh Tongue, coming back after being rested for two Tests, was inconsistent and sprayed it on both sides of the wicket. Jamie Overton, in just his second Test, also struggled with control, leaking 16 runs in three overs.
Shubman Gill, walking in to a better reception than in Manchester, looked assured and struck three boundaries in his 23-ball stay, showing signs of the form he’s been carrying. But it was Sai Sudharsan who impressed the most. In his 67-ball stay, he blunted England’s plans with a mix of patience and proactive strokeplay, especially punishing the overpitched and the straight deliveries as a packed slip cordon and a tactical leg slip watched on.
The session saw a premature end when a heavy downpour seemed to surprise even the groundsmen and it remains to be seen how an even wetter pitch and outfield have a say on the other side of the break.
Brief Scores: India 72/2 (Sudharsan 25*, Gill 15*; Atkinson 1-7, Woakes 1-28) vs England.
© Cricbuzz
