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Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
India fight back after losing quick wickets in Oval Test, Karun Nair scores a half-century
London: A resilient and much-needed half-century for Karun Nair and his unbeaten half-century partnership with a resolute Washington Sundar helped India fight back after losing quick wickets during the first day of the fifth Test against England at The Oval on Thursday. At the end of the day's play, India was 204/6, with Nair (52*) and Sundar (19*) unbeaten, having stitched a 51-run stand so far after the visitors had stumbled to 153/6. India resumed the final session at 85/3, with Nair and Sai Sudharsan (28*) at the crease. The duo kick-started the session with positive intent, with Sudharsan getting two boundaries against Jamie Overton. India reached the 100-run mark in 34.3 overs. However, he edged a Josh Tongue delivery to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, ending his 108-ball stay at the crease at 38 runs, with six fours. India was 101/4. Ravindra Jadeja's stay at the crease was short-lived for a 13-ball nine, with Tongue once again getting the wicket and Jamie getting the catch. India was halfway done, at 123 runs. Jurel looked solid, getting two boundaries. Despite surviving an lbw appeal against Gus Atkinson, he was out on the next ball, with an outside edge off his bat landing into Harry Brook's hands at slips. Jurel was gone for 19 in 40 balls. India was 153/6. Undeterred, Nair continued scoring, getting two fours against Overton. He weathered the storm with Washington Sundar, reaching his half-century in 90 balls, with seven fours. India reached the 200-run mark in 61.1 overs. Nair and Sundar made sure that India ended the day without any further loss of wickets. India kick-started the second session at 72/2, with Gill (15*) and Sudharsan (25*) unbeaten. Things went well for India until the skipper Gill attempted a quick single, which turned out to be a suicidal one, with Gus Atkinson running him out for 21 in 35 balls, with four boundaries. India was 83/3, with a 45-run stand over. After rain interrupted the proceedings, the Tea was taken and the second session ended at 85/3, with Nair (0*) and Sudharsan (28*) unbeaten. After a sudden downpour forced an early end to the first session, India piled up 72/2 in 23 overs, with Gill and Sudharsan unbeaten with scores of 15* and 25*. The rain had already marked its presence twice before the beginning of the game. Under the overcast conditions and the ground slightly drenched, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul tried to see off a tricky phase. In the absence of tearaway Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, returning to the Test fold, rattled India's top order with his blistering pace at his home venue. With an inward angling delivery and a hint of movement, Atkinson struck Jaiswal just below the knee-roll of his pads. There were two sounds, and the England players were confused. The opinion was split, with players voicing their opinions, but Pope decided to trust his instincts, which left Ben Duckett less than pleased. Even designated captain Ben Stokes appeared confused before switching his eyes to see the replay. During the check, the ball cleanly whistled past Jaiswal's bat and his fate was sealed as he walked back to the dressing room cheaply on 2(9). KL Rahul tried to push for India's comeback through the turbulent phase with Sudharsan. The duo watched the ball cautiously while trying to navigate India through the difficult phase. However, India was jolted once again after Chris Woakes lured Rahul to chop the ball back onto the stumps, sending all of his hard work down the slumps, forcing him to return on 14(40). He tried to cut the ball away but diverted it straight towards the timber. Gill arrived at the crease and restored a state of calmness with his composed strokeplay and calculated risk. He dispatched three boundaries to make up for the early loss of wickets. The sun blessed The Oval with its rays, but the gloomy clouds arrived again, and relentless rain poured in, forcing both teams to take an early lunch.
The National
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Why Test cricket is not so boring, despite appearances
I'm no cricket fan. I watch it infrequently, and that too towards the end of a game – which means the last five overs or so – when you hear from seemingly every other Indian you know that there's excitement building. But the past few weeks of watching Test cricket without loathing that time in front of the TV (which is sometimes muted, depending on who the commentators are), has come as a surprise. Without getting into the weeds too much, a Test match is where two international teams play each other over five days, with each team batting twice (two innings each) with the aim of scoring more runs than the other team, while having to bowl all the batters out. Thankfully, these matches grow into the weekend. The anticipation builds. People stay put on sofas watching ball after ball, run after run, given reason occasionally to exult. The fifth and final Test match of India's tour of England starts on Thursday, ends on Monday. The series started in June and will end in August. It's been a summer of sporting distraction. To explain to cricket atheists what the fuss is can be pointless, especially as there can be instances, like last week, where after five days the match ends in a draw or a stalemate. It may be no use trying to persuade the uninterested that there is a pay-off to sticking with it, watching patiently for grit and character of these players to rise to the surface. Five days is just more demanding than a match that's over in 90 minutes, three hours or even eight hours, in any sport. Muscles begin to complain, and the consistency required can be mentally wearing for the players even as it is their job to overcome these obstacles. I don't remember the last time I voluntarily watched Test cricket. World Cup games are different; those are quicker, played over eight hours, often social affairs, and wickets always seem to fall just as you get up for a loo break. It is unremarkable perhaps to have found an interest – even astonishingly, respect – for a game that is hardly short of admirers, at least in Commonwealth countries where they are mostly played, and has been around since the 1800s. Its old-fashioned quality is partly why watching it can feel comforting. Its dipping viewership numbers, however, are understandable – especially given that Test cricket is not about instant gratification. It doesn't feel easy. It is not immediately rewarding. It requires patience, both playing it and watching it. Its essence seems to have delightfully little overlap with the constant turnover of TikTok or Insta reels. I don't remember the last time I voluntarily watched Test cricket. It is unremarkable perhaps to have found an interest – even astonishingly, respect – for a game that is hardly short of admirers Yes, you could watch 15-second highlights if you've missed chunks of the match, or just want to relive a segment of sporting excellence. But relying solely on them is taking a shortcut and not putting in the hours to 'stay with' and watch the bowlers, the fielders, the batters who've been at the crease (where they stand) for hours, chipping away, steadily accumulating runs, working for the team and displaying, you hope, at some point or another during the match: form, fitness, flair, strength, ability and determination, despite the exhaustion of playing the whole day in the sun. All these grand life themes are often on display on the field for five days. The duration though is not the least of what in the past I have found about the game to be brimming with tedium and just plain unwatchable. The monotony seemed lethal – a green field with specks in white uniform not moving around very much. The measured commentary, not too high or low pitched, little variation in tone, used to be ideal white noise to nap to (and can still be, depending on who has the microphone). Even as I can't claim to be able to tell the difference between a fielding position from a shot played or a ball delivered – what is a mid-off? what is a leg bye? why does no one yell 'Googly!' anymore? – it's not hard to know which players are having a bad day at the office, who's had a longer streak of terrible luck, and who is harnessing some preternatural gift to talk to the bat. This can be moving to watch. On a regular day, where exuberance isn't really an every-hour event, it's presumably alright to look forward to what moves you. And to root for the team that you do and see if they're up to the task. But those playing for the love of a vocation that demands all that raw stuff – endurance, steadiness of purpose and the steeliness to perform for your team and country – even as they're buoyed by several thousands of cheering fans in the stadium, and so many more remotely watching on screens, deserves a degree of admiration. It takes time perhaps to learn to see what it's about. And build an appreciation for the physical and mental calibre required. One then thinks of the work and practice that would have gone in for years before these players reach a level where they can take the stage, at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground in London, or at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, or Kolkata's Eden Gardens, or wherever. For that, regardless of the eventual score and who takes home the trophy, even an unwilling fan can at least willingly clap.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
India in a tight spot in Manchester Test, trail by 137 runs; Gill, Rahul steady innings after initial shocks
Manchester: India recovered after initial shocks in their second innings of the Fourth Test but the team is still in deep waters with England scoring a massive 669 in their first innings and getting an overall lead of 311 over the visitors. The Indian second innings began on a shocking note with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudarshan going back to pavilion on duck. K L Rahul and Captain Shubman Gill steadied India's innings with patient and stellar stand of 174 runs. India finished Day 4 on 174/2 and are now 137 runs behind England. If the Indian team is able to salvage match on the fifth and final day on Sunday, it will be an achievement in itself. England went wicketless in the final session as Indian batters added 126 runs to their tally, with KL Rahul 87* and Shubman Gill 78* unbeaten on the crease. India started the third session at 86/2 with Gill, who looked in fine touch, notched up his eighth Test fifty and fourth against England off 77 deliveries. His innings has been laced with eight delightful boundaries, showing great control and intent at the crease. He was batting on 52 off 80 deliveries. At the other end, KL Rahul played the perfect support role, remaining unbeaten on 30 with two boundaries to his name. In the 40th over, the duo of Rahul and Gill completed a 100-run stand for the third wicket. Rahul slammed his second fifty of the ongoing series in the 43rd over after pushing the ball for a single off Liam Dawson. He also completed 9000 runs in international cricket across all formats. In the 55th over, the duo completed 150 runs for the third wicket. Earlier in the match, after an early jolt just before Lunch, India found stability in the second session of Day 4, thanks to a composed partnership between skipper Shubman Gill and opener KL Rahul. India reached their 50 in 15.2 overs, but still trailing by 225 runs. With the final session to come, both batters will look to carry on, and end the day on a high for India. In the first session, a stellar batting performance from England skipper Ben Stokes helped The Three Lions to finish their first innings on 669, leading by 311 runs against India in the fourth test. This is England's second-highest total against India, only behind 710/7d at Edgbaston, 2011. India had a poor start to their second innings, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in the first over for zero runs each. India were 1/2 at Lunch with KL Rahul 1* and Shubman Gill 0* unbeaten on the crease. England started Day 4 on day at 544/7, leading by 186 runs with Ben Stokes (77) and Liam Dawson (21*) unbeaten on the crease. Jasprit Bumrah gave an early blow to the hosts as he removed Dawson 26 in the 140th over and Brydon Carse, joined England skipper on the the 146th over, Stokes smashed a four to bring up his 14th Test century. He bagged a five-wicket haul while bowling in the first innings, after a long wait of eight years, and now he brings up a Test century in the same match. A ton in the longest format, almost three years after. He also became the fifth captain to have a 100 and a 5-fer in the same Test. England went past 600 runs in the 148th over after Carse slammed a four off Mohammed Siraj. Stokes also completed 7000 runs in the longest format . After smashing Indian bowlers all over the park, Stokes was removed by Ravindra Jadeja for 141 in the 156th over; in his following over, Jadeja removed Carse before he slammed 47 runs off 54 balls. England finished their first innings on 669, leading by 311 runs. Four Indian bowlers conceded 100-plus in this innings, the 25th such instance for them in Tests. This had previously occurred more than a decade ago, on the 2014/15 tour of Australia, in three consecutive Tests: Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, respectively. For just the seventh time in Test cricket history, a team has achieved a 300-plus first innings lead after conceding 350-plus while bowling first. Their previous highest lead after conceding 350-plus in the first innings of the Test was 267 against Pakistan in Multan last year (823/7d in response to 556).
The Guardian
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
England v India: fourth men's cricket Test, day two
Update: Date: 2025-07-24T09:00:04.000Z Title: Preamble Content: A day of Test cricket is – even when split up into six portions of crucial next hours – a long time. It offers us scope for undulation, fluctuation and domination, a story within a story that nourishes our brain through the long evenings before we go again. Somehow, almost every time these sides get to it and however things meander and explode, we end up near to where we started: with a close contest that could conceivably go either way. Yesterday, India had the better of the first session, sensible and doughty batting aided by a supernatural force-field protecting their outside-edges from the ball, however hard they tried to unite the two. Then, in the afternoon, England – led by the exhibition masochism of Ben Stokes – fought back, before the even evening dig left the match beautifully balanced as we bounce into day two. It feels like much of what'll happen next is rooted in Rishabh Pant. If he can't bat, England will feel like they're almost into the tail, but the problem for India would be a symbolic one too; he is the human embodiment of bravery and hope, so his incapacitation would extract a toll not just practical but mental. They need his batting, but they also need his presence. England's attack, meanwhile, should be a day wiser. Bowling at Old Trafford is unlike bowling anywhere else, and Brydon Carse struggled while Jofra Archer, though miserly, is there to be deadly. If, as a unit, the perform similarly today, they will be facing a substantial first-innings total; if they improve, they could be ahead of the game by stumps. Bring on the six portions of crucial next hours! Play: 11am BST
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
England battle to keep India in check on opening day of fourth Test
England fought hard to keep India in check on an attritional opening day of the fourth Test at a gloomy Emirates Old Trafford, with the tourists sweating over a foot injury to Rishabh Pant. Ben Stokes claimed two for 47 after being seduced into bowling first by the overheads and Liam Dawson marked his first Test appearance since July 2017 with the prize wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal for 58. Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 61 as India went to stumps on 264 for four although Pant retired hurt after a typically helter-skelter 37 when he was struck on the right foot by Chris Woakes. Pant was in immediate pain and took off his boot to be treated but when it was apparent he could neither continue nor hobble off the field, he was taken away in a golf buggy for further assessment. Pant suffered a finger injury last week at Lord's and could not keep wicket but this seems altogether more serious for India's second leading run-scorer of this Rothesay series, just behind Shubman Gill. India's captain received jeers when he came out to bat and is perhaps now public enemy number one after accusing England of contravening 'the spirit of the game' following a bad-tempered third Test. After the antagonism between the teams at the home of cricket, where England went 2-1 ahead, there was no obvious sign of lingering tensions on Wednesday, where Gill calling incorrectly under cloudy skies was India's 14th toss loss in a row – a statistical anomaly rated at 16,384 to one. India had better luck when play started, with Woakes left kicking the turf in frustration after twice drawing Jaiswal's outside edge in the opening over as both dropped short of the cordon. Woakes probed away in a tireless eight-over burst, frequently challenging the off-stump and outside edge but finding no reward as Jaiswal reined in his attacking instincts, only cutting loose when carving Stokes for six just before lunch. KL Rahul was unruffled as he faced down Jofra Archer before taking on the wayward Brydon Carse, moving past 400 runs for the series in a wicketless opening session where England's only breakthrough was Woakes snapping Jaiswal's bat handle. Woakes had some overdue reward 20 minutes after lunch as Rahul departed for 46 following a tentative backfoot prod that took the outside edge and carried at chest height to Zak Crawley at third slip. Dawson then struck with his seventh delivery for his first Test wicket in 2,929 days as Jaiswal, having battled to 59, was undone by a lack of spin and hint of drift as a defensive push forward caught the edge and was gobbled up by Harry Brook. Gill's arrival to the crease brought surprise boos before the recalled Sudharsan, one of three India changes from Lord's, was put down on 20 by Jamie Smith after Stokes looked to have strangled him down leg-side again, having done so at Headingley. Stokes would not be denied in his next over, persuading umpire Rod Tucker to raise his finger after brushing the front pad of Gill, who took a review with him having shouldered arms to a nip-backer. Pant brought trademark chaos after tea; slog sweeping an 85mph delivery from Archer then missing a reverse ramp, punching Carse for six, while an ungainly hack off Dawson unsighted Stokes due to the red advertisement boards beyond the boundary. His unpredictability was also his undoing after he inside edged a reverse sweep off Woakes on to his right boot on 37. England reviewed in vain as Pant hopped in agony, requiring lengthy treatment before eventually being driven off the field, head in hands and foot increasingly swelling. Sudharsan made use of his let-off to reach a maiden first Test fifty but, having showed good judgement to England's short-ball tactics, he lost patience and flapped at Stokes and Carse ran in to take a simple catch. With the floodlights on for most of the evening session amid ever darkening skies, England had to bowl spin from both ends after Ravindra Jadeja appeared to remonstrate with the umpires about the light. England ended the day bowling spin from both ends at Jadeja and Shardul Thakur and refused to take the second new ball when it became available, while the players were brought off after Stokes seemed to intimate bringing on a seamer 10 minutes before the scheduled finish.
