On Day 1 of the fifth Test at The Oval on Thursday, July 31, England pacer Josh Tongue dismissed Indian batsman Sai Sudharsan against the run of play with a jaffa. Despite appearing poised for a huge score, the left-handed hitter was dismissed for 38 runs off 108 deliveries, including six boundaries. The visitors lost their fourth wicket for 103 as a result.
The dismissal occurred in the seventh over following the second rain break, in the 36th over of India’s opening innings. Tongue delivered a spectacular outswinger. Sudharsan was forced to play the ball, in line with the stumps as it was so full and straight. It soared away after getting an outside edge before Jamie Smith, the wicketkeeper, is able to make a regulation catch.
Watch the video below:
An absolute beauty from Josh Tongue 👅
It's too good for Sai Sudharsan, who edges to Jamie Smith behind the stumps.
🇮🇳 1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣-4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/fhMFOqpgKn
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025England Justify Bowling First as Sudharsan Misses Out on Big Score in 5th Test
A superb bowling performance helped England make the most of their decision to field after stand-in captain Ollie Pope won the coin toss. At regular intervals, the visitors continued to lose wickets. In the first session, KL Rahul (14) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (2) were sent packing by Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson, respectively. Following a bad decision in the second session, India skipper Shubman Gill gave up his wicket after being run out by Gus Atkinson. The situation for India was made worse by Sudharsan’s wicket shortly after the tea break.
The visitors were 123/5 at the time of writing, with Dhruv Jurel (0) and Karun Nair (12) at the crease. The final hitter out was Ravindra Jadeja (9) who was caught behind by Jamie Smith off the bowling of Josh Tongue.
Karun Nair will be eager to make the most of his opportunity after replacing Shardul Thakur in the playing XI. The 33-year-old’s dismal batting performance in the first three Test matches prevented him from solidifying his position. However, after filling in as a backup wicketkeeper for Rishabh Pant during the previous two Test matches due to injury, Jurel is batting for the first time in the series.
In the meantime, England has a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The hosts would defeat Team India, who have lost their last two Test series against Australia (1-3 away) and New Zealand (0-3 at home), with a victory or draw.
