The Oval, London:
On a damp, overcast morning at Kennington Oval, England opted to bowl first after winning the toss continuing a streak of poor luck at the toss for India, who have now lost 15 in a row across formats.
Morning Session: England on Top
England’s seamers exploited the green conditions perfectly. Gus Atkinson struck early, ushering a nervy India into serious trouble by trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for just 2 following a sharp review called by captain Ollie Pope. Soon after, England’s spearhead Chris Woakes castled KL Rahul for a gritty 14 off 40 balls, chopping a cut onto his stumps.
India sank to 38/2 by the 16th over, with the early momentum firmly in England’s favor.
India Executes Damage Control:
At 38/2, Sai Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill steadied the ship with cautious intent. Sudharsan, in particular, responded with measured strokes, showing the patience India needed in these swinging conditions. Gill, who enters after three successive toss losses, resumed his role as the leading run-scorer in the series, having amassed 722 runs to date.
By lunch, India found themselves at 72/2 in 23 overs, a recovery of sorts but far from comfortable, especially given the conditions and the quality of England’s new-ball attack.
THE MAGIC NUMBER 775* AWAITS FOR SHUBMAN GILL 💪 pic.twitter.com/fWVdFo1vGy
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 31, 2025
England’s Bowling Strategy: Fresh Faces Deliver
With captain Ben Stokes sidelined through injury, England brought in fresh names like Overton, Tongue, and Atkinson. Atkinson’s incisive line and movement earned early rewards. Meanwhile, Josh Tongue had a rocky start conceding an astounding number of wides in a single over, which saw 11 runs leak out while failing to establish rhythm and length.
Woakes continued to offer nagging lines from the other end, exploiting the early swing and testing the Indian pair’s defensive technique.
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Conditions:
The day began and progressed under persistently gloomy skies, rain issues, and a damp outfield. Early rain delays prompted an early lunch, and covers were frequently reintroduced as showers loomed throughout the session. These weather interruptions, combined with variable pitch behavior, meant India found little respite.
Despite these conditions favoring the bowlers, the sun briefly peeked through later, slightly toning down the swing and offering a glimmer of hope to India’s middle order.
Looking Ahead: India’s Challenge in the Second Session
India’s slow start today has left them teetering at 72/2 at lunch a scenario far from ideal but with potential for a regroup. The onus now shifts to Shubman Gill who has built a prolific series so far and Sai Sudharsan to build a solid platform.
With England keen to press their advantage using a fresh pace arsenal, India’s recovery hinges on cautious application and technical adaptability. If they manage to weather the remaining threat from Atkinson, Overton, and Woakes, there’s room to turn things around as the day unfolds.
India Needs to Rebuild
The first session posed a significant test for India struggling in swinging conditions and losing key wickets early under pressure. However, Shubman Gill’s form and Sudharsan’s resilience provide a foundation for recovery. With two sessions still to go on Day 1 (weather permitting), India must focus on rebuilding in partnership and braking wave after wave of England’s fervent pace attack.
