New Delhi: England never hesitated to bowl after winning the toss and on a greenish top reduced India to 204/6 at stumps on a rain-affected opening day of the fifth and final Test in London on Thursday.
India lost the toss for the fifth consecutive time in the series and lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (2) leg before to Gus Atkinson (2/31) before KL Rahul (14) dragged Chris Woakes (1/46) delivery onto his stumps.
Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill then batted cautiously till lunch had to be taken early due to a sudden downpour with India at 72 for two at The Oval.
Only six overs could be bowled in the afternoon session but Gill (21) lost his wicket due to a misjudgement of a quick single, Atkinson running him out on his follow through.
With the leading run-scorer of the series Gill (743) back in the pavilion and on the greenest pitch among the five venues, England relished to have a go at the circumspect Indian batters.
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
Sudharsan (38) and Ravindra Jadeja (9) departed in identical fashion, caught behind to Josh Tongue (2/47), with Dhruv Jurel (19) flashing Atkinson into slips, to leave India reeling at 153/6.
Karun Nair (52 not out) and Manchester Test centurion Washington Sundar (19 not out) then capitalised on some loose English bowling to not only hold fort but also score 119 useful runs in 35 overs in an extended session of play post tea, despite which only 64 overs could be bowled in the day.
Brief Scores: India 204 for 6 in 64 overs (Karun Nair 52 not out, Sai Sudharsan 38, Shubman Gill 21; Josh Tongue 2/47, Gus Atkinson 2/31).