Karun Nair stands tall as England pacers turn up the heat
An eventful Day 1 at The Oval saw India fight back to cross 200 after the England pacers made merry
On a rain-affected Day 1 of the final Test at The Oval between India and England, Karun Nair's fighting half-century kept India in the hunt after England's pacers snuffed out regular wickets, with the visitors ending the day at 204/6.
With the series poised precariously – India need a win to secure a 2-2 draw, while England need victory to secure the series – India were asked to bat by England after winning a rain-delayed toss.
Both teams made four changes heading into the final Test. For India, Karun Nair and Akash Deep returned after missing the Manchester Test. Dhruv Jurel replaced the injured Rishabh Pant, while Prasidh Krishna returned to the XI for the first time since the opening Test.
England fielded a new-look bowling lineup featuring Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue, with Jacob Bethell included to bolster the batting depth.
The returning Atkinson made an instant impact once play got underway, trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal leg before in the third over to give England the ideal start.
KL Rahul weathered a challenging spell thereafter, but couldn't make the most of his hard work, chopping one onto his stumps off the bowling of Chris Woakes.
India captain Shubman Gill then took charge, not allowing England to settle. With the steely Sai Sudharsan looking steady at the other end, India moved to 72/2 when rain forced an early Lunch.
When play resumed, Gill and Sudharsan were tasked with navigating a tricky phase where the ball was swinging considerably. However, it was a communication mix-up between the two that led to the run-out of the Indian skipper, handing England a crucial breakthrough.
Shortly after, rain once again interrupted play, after which Tea was called early.
After a lengthy delay, the skies finally cleared, allowing for an extended final session – and England made merry.
They started strongly, dismissing the well-set Sudharsan. Josh Tongue delivered a beautiful outswinger that found the edge of Sudharsan’s bat.
The pacer then produced a near-identical delivery to remove Ravindra Jadeja – one of India's heroes in Manchester – giving England two quickfire wickets.
Nair and Dhruv Jurel added a crucial 30 runs for India, but England didn’t allow the partnership to become anything more.
Atkinson tempted Jurel into having a pop at one that was shaping away, and the edge was brilliantly taken by Harry Brook in the slips.
It was then that Nair was joined by Washington Sundar, who had scored his maiden Test century in Manchester. The duo put together an unbroken 51-run stand for the seventh wicket, ensuring India crossed the 200-run mark.
England also had injury concerns when Woakes sustained a suspected shoulder issue while fielding, and was forced off the field.
Nair and Sundar provided much-needed stability for India at the end of the day, setting the scene for an intruging Day 2 at The Oval.