Play was cut short on Day 1 at The Oval due to a sudden downpour in London, bringing a premature end after just 23 overs. India, who were put in to bat under overcast skies, went into the break at 72 for 2, with captain Shubman Gill anchoring the innings amidst tricky conditions.
England, featuring four new faces in their lineup, found early success through Gus Atkinson, making his return to Test cricket after a two-month gap. He struck in just the fourth over, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw. Initially turned down by the on-field umpire, the decision was overturned after stand-in captain Ollie Pope opted for a review—his first successful DRS call after a string of 14 unsuccessful ones. Atkinson bowled a disciplined spell, returning with figures of 6 overs, 1 maiden, 7 runs, and 1 wicket.
KL Rahul, who had looked in control, was removed for 14 after playing a risky shot under pressure. England had tightened the screws with a stretch of tight bowling, conceding just five runs in the six overs prior to his dismissal. Attempting to break the shackles, Rahul mistimed a cut shot off Chris Woakes and was bowled via an inside edge.
With a green-tinged pitch and heavy cloud cover, stroke-making wasn’t easy. Still, Gill stood firm and reached a personal milestone, becoming the highest run-scorer by an Indian captain in a single Test series, surpassing 732 runs.
Debutant Sai Sudharsan showed composure at the crease as well. He capitalized on the lack of rhythm from England’s makeshift pace attack. The absence of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes was felt keenly as their replacements, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton, struggled to hit consistent lines. Tongue, in particular, leaked 11 runs in wides in his first over, while Overton failed to create pressure with the new ball.
The bowlers’ troubles were further compounded by a soft and slippery landing area, likely a result of overnight rain, affecting their footing and consistency.
With the forecast still unpredictable, both sides will be hoping for improved conditions as the match progresses.
