England vs India, 5th Test: Rain Halts Play Early After Sudharsan Steadies India at 72/2
Rain interrupts Day 1 of the final Test at The Oval as India reach 72/2, with Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill at the crease.
Sai Sudharsan remained composed as rain interrupted play on Day 1 at The Oval.
Rain played spoilsport on the opening day of the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval, forcing an early lunch after just 23 overs. India managed 72 for 2, with Shubman Gill and debutant Sai Sudharsan holding firm in challenging conditions.
India, yet again losing the toss, were sent in to bat under grey skies and on a pitch with 8mm of grass — conditions heavily favoring seam bowling. England made four changes, including the return of Gus Atkinson, who impressed immediately by removing Yashasvi Jaiswal in the fourth over. The initial not-out decision was overturned on review, ending Ollie Pope’s 14 unsuccessful DRS streak.
KL Rahul, looking composed, departed for 14 after being bowled by Chris Woakes. With runs drying up — England conceding only five runs across six overs — Rahul succumbed to the mounting pressure, dragging one onto his stumps off the inside edge.
Shubman Gill, continuing his stellar series, crossed 732 runs — the most by an Indian captain in a single Test series. At the other end, Sai Sudharsan showed maturity beyond his years, calmly negotiating a pace attack weakened by the absence of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes. Their replacements, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton, struggled to find rhythm — with Tongue leaking 11 wides in his opening over.
A wet outfield and a slightly unstable landing area, following overnight rain, further hampered England’s bowlers. The pair of Gill and Sudharsan will look to build on the steady start once play resumes, with India seeking to level the series.
