IND vs ENG 5th Test Day 1 – Karun Nair scores fifty after 3,148 days, India finish at 204/6 on a rain-hit day in Oval.
India 204/6 at Stumps on Day 1
India finished at 204/6 on Day 1 of the fifth Test at The Oval. Only 64 overs were bowled due to rain. Karun Nair was the star of the day, scoring an unbeaten 52 runs after 3,148 days. He had last scored 50+ runs in 2016. Washington Sundar also stayed not out at 19 runs.
Early Wickets Trouble for India
England bowled first in cloudy conditions and got early wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal was out LBW by Atkinson. KL Rahul was bowled by Woakes for just 14 runs. India came under pressure early and lost two wickets quickly. England bowlers used the swing and seam movement very well.
Shubman Gill’s Big Run Out
Shubman Gill looked in form but got run out after a mix-up. He slipped while turning back and couldn’t make it to the crease. Atkinson hit the stumps directly. Gill was out for 21. This run-out hurt India badly and raised questions on Gill’s decision-making as captain.
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Sai Sudharsan, Jadeja Also Dismissed
Sai Sudharsan fought hard and scored 38 runs but was caught behind off a sharp delivery from Tongue. Ravindra Jadeja looked good and hit a four but was out for 9 runs. Dhruv Jurel also failed to stay long and was out for 19. India was 153/6 at one stage.
Karun Nair Hits Fifty After 8 Years
Karun Nair showed great patience and skill. He completed his half-century in 89 balls. This was his first fifty since his famous 303* in 2016. He played calm and smart cricket and helped India stay in the game. His return to the team turned out to be valuable.
Partnership with Washington Sundar
Karun Nair got support from Washington Sundar, who remained not out at 19. The duo added 51 runs together for the seventh wicket. Sundar played steady shots and looked confident. His last Test innings was a century, and he continued his good form here. They ended the day strong for India.
England Bowlers Shine, Woakes Injured
Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue bowled very well for England. They took two wickets each. Atkinson also got the run-out of Shubman Gill. Chris Woakes got injured while saving a boundary and went off the field holding his shoulder. This might be a concern for England in the next days.
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Jasprit Bumrah Rested by India
India did not play Jasprit Bumrah to manage his workload. Without him, the batting lineup was under more pressure. India lost quick wickets, but the lower order saved the day. Bumrah’s absence gave younger players a chance to step up in this final Test.
Rain and Pitch Made Batting Hard
Rain stopped play many times, and the pitch helped the bowlers. Seam movement and swing made scoring tough. Overcast skies also added to the difficulty. With England missing Ben Stokes and India looking to level the series 2-2, the Test is evenly balanced. Day 2 will be very important for both teams.
Conclusion: IND vs ENG 2025
India had a tough day but made a comeback thanks to Karun Nair’s brave fifty and Washington Sundar’s solid support. If this partnership continues on Day 2, India can post a good total. The pitch is still helping bowlers, so Day 2 will be exciting and crucial for the series.
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