IND Vs ENG, 5th Test: Karun Nair & Sai Sudharsan Stand Tall As England Dents Indian Top Order On Rain-Marred Day At The Oval

Day 1 of the fifth and final Test between India and England at The Oval in London saw a rain-hit start to the much-anticipated clash, with the hosts making early inroads after choosing to field first. England’s bowlers capitalized on the overcast conditions to leave India at 204 for 6 at stumps, with the weather frequently halting play throughout the day.

After Ollie Pope won the toss and opted to bowl, the English seamers wasted no time putting the Indian top order under pressure. The overcast skies and a damp pitch assisted seam movement, and the pace duo of Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue led the charge, picking up two wickets apiece. India’s openers failed to convert their starts, and regular wickets ensured the visitors could never settle into a rhythm.

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That's Stumps on Day of the 5th #ENGvIND Test! #TeamIndia end the rain-curtailed opening Day on 204/6.

We will be back for Day 2 action tomorrow. ⌛️

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Tc2xpWMCJ6 pic.twitter.com/BHutn3Gpq2

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 31, 2025

Made it count & how 👏

Wickets kept tumbling at the other end, but he stood tall. A fighting fifty for #KarunNair, his first 50+ score since that iconic triple ton! 💪#ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST, DAY 1 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/04PYjgLzCW pic.twitter.com/jkUmfRPrid

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 31, 2025

Too easy on the eyes! 🤌

On a scale of 1-10, rate that cover drive from #KarunNair 👇#ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST, DAY 1 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/04PYjgLzCW pic.twitter.com/KbmzRy6fvY

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 31, 2025

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Sai Sudharsan played a composed knock of 38, striking six crisp boundaries before falling just as he looked set. Karun Nair, making a return to the Test side, stood out with a gritty unbeaten 52, laced with seven well-timed boundaries. He provided much-needed stability to the innings and showed signs of a potential revival of his red-ball career. Partnering him at the close of play was Washington Sundar, who remained not out on 19 with two boundaries to his name.

The rain played spoilsport for large parts of the day, interrupting momentum for both sides and limiting play to just 64 overs. However, in the sessions that did proceed, England maintained the upper hand with disciplined bowling and sharp field placements. Despite being six down, India will take heart from the Nair-Sundar partnership, which has added some late resilience.

As the Test progresses, much will depend on how the remaining Indian batters support Nair and whether the weather allows for a full contest. England, on the other hand, will look to wrap up the Indian innings quickly on Day 2 and build pressure with the bat.

IND Vs ENG, 5th Test: Ollie Pope's Successful DRS Call Draws Applause From Ben Stokes As Yashasvi Jaiswal Departs Early; Video

England drew first blood in the final Test of the series at The Oval, as fast bowler Gus Atkinson dismissed India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 2 runs with a fiery delivery that crashed into the middle stump, thanks to a well-judged DRS call from captain Ollie Pope.

Bowling from around the wicket, Atkinson delivered one that jagged back sharply off a good length, angling in from outside off. Jaiswal, defending tentatively, brought his bat down at an awkward angle and was struck on the back pad. England appealed instantly for LBW, but the on-field umpire was unmoved.

Ollie Pope 🤝 DRS

🇮🇳 1️⃣0️⃣-1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/VyX4061MvH

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025

There was an audible woody sound, prompting initial doubts, but Atkinson remained convinced, joined by enthusiastic voices from behind the stumps. Pope, equally confident, went upstairs for a review. On replay, it was clear: the bat and ball hadn’t connected. Instead, the ball brushed the front pad before thudding into the back pad.

Third umpire, after a brief check, confirmed no UltraEdge was needed. Ball tracking followed and it was damning for Jaiswal. Three reds lit up the screen as the ball was shown to be hitting middle stump. The on-field decision was overturned, and Jaiswal was sent back for 2 off 9 balls, leaving India at 10/1 in the early stages of the Test.

Captain Ollie Pope celebrated the successful review with a fist pump directed at the England dressing room, where injured talisman Ben Stokes, sidelined due to a shoulder issue, applauded the call. It was a moment of sharp captaincy and precise bowling, giving England the ideal start in a high-stakes encounter.