India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged the impact of Shubman Gill’s unfortunate run-out and Jasprit Bumrah’s absence on the first day of the fifth Test against England. Despite these setbacks and ending the day at 204/6, he praised Karun Nair and Washington Sundar’s resilience. Ten Doeschate remains optimistic, hoping the team can reach 300, considering it a competitive score.
Gus Atkinson impressed on his return, but England is concerned about Chris Woakes’ shoulder injury sustained while fielding. Woakes’ injury adds to England’s bowling concerns, with Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue also struggling. Karun Nair’s resilient unbeaten 52 helped India recover to 204 for 6 after a shaky start, marking his first Test fifty in several years.
Karun Nair’s resilient half-century at The Oval proved crucial for India after a top-order collapse. Returning to the team after being dropped in Manchester, Nair’s composed innings, his first Test fifty in nearly nine years, helped India recover to 204/6 at stumps on Day 1. His partnership with Washington Sundar offered stability, showcasing his determination in a vital match.
Divya Deshmukh, the 19-year-old chess prodigy, clinched the FIDE Women’s World Cup title in Batumi, becoming the youngest ever to achieve this feat. Deshmukh secured her Grandmaster title after defeating Koneru Humpy in a tie-breaker. Known for her aggressive playing style, she remains unfazed by pressure, focusing instead on her personal goals and expectations.
Yuzvendra Chahal revealed the emotional distress and mental health challenges he faced during his divorce from Dhanashree Verma. He addressed rumours of infidelity and admitted to struggling with suicidal thoughts due to the immense pressure. Chahal emphasised the mutual decision for separation, highlighting the incompatibility arising from their career-focused lives.
Josh Tongue’s performance shifted the momentum towards England on Day 1 of the fifth Test. He dismissed Sai Sudharsan with a sharp delivery. Sudharsan edged the ball to Jamie Smith after scoring 38 runs. India aims to level the series, currently trailing 2-1. The loss of crucial wickets makes their task more challenging.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has criticised umpire Kumar Dharmasena for signaling an inside edge during the India-England Test, sparking debate. Bangar emphasised that Dharmasena’s gesture, a habit from pre-DRS days, could influence the bowling team, undermining impartiality. India struggled, losing early wickets, including Shubman Gill’s run-out, ending the session at 85/3 in their bid to level the series.
ECB chair Richard Thompson praised England players’ commitment, citing Harry Brook’s IPL withdrawal to prioritize national duty, costing him millions and a two-year ban. Thompson dismissed concerns about franchise cricket overshadowing international cricket, emphasizing the strong team environment fostered by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, making playing for England a top priority for players.
Sourav Ganguly backed young pacer Anshul Kamboj after his debut Test. Ganguly urged critics to give him more chances. He highlighted Kamboj’s domestic performance. The former skipper also expressed surprise over Mukesh Kumar’s absence from the England tour. He praised Kumar’s red-ball record and believed he deserved an opportunity in this series.
After a rain break, Shubman Gill’s careless run-out disrupted India’s progress in the fifth Test against England. Gill, who had looked good, was dismissed for 21 due to a poor decision, ending a promising partnership. Despite the setback, Gill surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s record for most runs by an Indian in a Test series, reaching 737 runs.