
Shubman Gill and KL Rahul hold up England's push for fourth-Test victory
When Chris Woakes removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan from successive deliveries with India yet to eat into a 311-run deficit, England might have had hopes of quickly wrapping up a 3-1 series lead.
Chris Woakes! 🔥
A heart-in-mouth moment for Joe Root who nearly fumbles… but the man of the hour holds on and we have our first!
🇮🇳 0️⃣-1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/Z0EMNiAMSt
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 26, 2025
But following a tough start to the afternoon session, Gill made 52 not out, having been dropped on 46 by Liam Dawson, and Rahul an unbeaten 30 as India went to tea on 86 for two, still trailing by 225.
England's total was their highest at home in the Bazball era, with only the 823 they amassed in Multan last October eclipsing it, with Stokes to the fore on Saturday as he recorded a 14th Test hundred.
He also joined Lord Botham, Tony Greig and Gus Atkinson as the only Englishmen to make a ton and take a five-wicket haul in the same match although he curiously did not bowl himself on Saturday afternoon.
Having struggled with cramp the previous evening, Stokes was put through his paces first thing, scampering through for a single, getting home despite Anshul Kamboj's direct hit from mid-on.
Stokes smeared Mohammed Siraj twice through the covers but lost Dawson for company after he was bowled by one that kept low from Jasprit Bumrah, having fended one off a length the ball before.
Stokes breezed to 99 but then played and missed at Bumrah, facing five more nervous dots before glancing Siraj off his pads for his ninth four and 14th Test ton, which he celebrated by removing his left glove and doing his crooked finger celebration, looking at the sky in memory of his father, Ged.
Stokes went to 7,000 Test runs in style by thrashing off-spinner Washington Sundar back over his head for six then reverse-sweeping him for four after England's total had gone past 600.
Ravindra Jadeja was also carted for a couple of sixes before Stokes holed out while Brydon Carse did likewise in the slow left-arm spinner's next over, leaving India a tricky 15-minute period to bat before lunch.
They were unable to emerge unscathed as Woakes squared up Yashasvi Jaiswal fourth ball, with Joe Root initially unable to cling on but scooping the rebound just above the turf.
It got even better as Sai Sudharsan shaped to leave the next delivery but the ball took the edge and flew to Harry Brook.
Gill negotiated the hat-trick ball, albeit after being rapped on the pad with Woakes' optimistic appeal turned down, but he had to overcome a testing period immediately after lunch from Jofra Archer.
England's fast bowler pleaded for a review after locating Gill's front pad but the third umpire was unable to detect whether bat was involved first so the on-field official's not out decision remained.
Gill's bottom hand, already bandaged, was struck two deliveries later while he survived another lbw in an eventful first over back but he rode out the storm and found some fluency as the ball got older.
With Rahul appearing totally unflustered, England went up for a desperate lbw when Gill was on 45 before he was put down on 46 as a diving Liam Dawson shelled a difficult chance at backward point.
Despite his first-innings five-for, Stokes did not bring himself on, even turning to Root to turn his arm over just before tea, with Gill bringing up a fifty to end the session.

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Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
England claim six wickets on first day at The Oval as India hit 204 - but Chris Woakes suffers a devastating injury which could kill Ashes swansong
On a day when England's second-string seamers were handed the best bowling conditions of the summer, and Chris Woakes suffered an injury that may yet end his hopes of one last Ashes, it was Gus Atkinson who made the only unanswerable case for a trip to Australia. India finished a rain-interrupted first day of the crucial fifth Test on a moderate 204 for six, but it was a scoreline that disguised a multitude of sins for an injury-hit England side demanding one last push and a 3–1 win. While Josh Tongue sprinkled some dross with the occasional gem, and Jamie Overton struggled for rhythm in his first Test for three years, Woakes badly hurt his shoulder diving on the boundary, with repercussions that are not yet clear. Thank goodness, then, that Atkinson slotted straight back into the role he had vacated because of hamstring trouble after the one-off game against Zimbabwe in May. First he pinned Yashasvi Jaiswal leg-before with his seventh legal delivery, as stand-in captain Ollie Pope successfully overturned his first DRS decision at the 14th attempt. Later, Atkinson found pace and bounce to have Dhruv Jurel smartly caught by Harry Brook at second slip. And in between he unearthed a novel solution to a problem that has dogged England all summer. How do you deal with Shubman Gill? Answer: you run him out, stupid. India had been relatively pleased with their lot when they reached 83 for two on a green pitch under grey skies, having lost their fifth toss of the series and their 15th in succession in all internationals. The odds on this happening were 32,768 for one, which at times this summer has felt like the chances of forcing an error from Gill. Now, having moved to 21 and taken his tally for the summer to 743 runs, the most by an Indian captain in any Test series, he dropped Atkinson into the off side and set off for a single that existed only in his imagination. Following through, Atkinson collected the ball in his left hand, transferred it to his right, then threw down the stumps with Gill stranded. The look on his face said it all. Not since Brian Lara 20 years ago has a visiting batsman scored more runs in a Test series in England, yet in that moment it all seemed to count for nothing. Two days after the tourists upset Surrey groundsman Lee Fortis by not giving his Oval square the respect he thought it merited, another Indian batsman had gone walkabout in the wrong area. And just as the run-out of Rishabh Pant felt crucial to the outcome of the third Test at Lord's, so Gill's demise may prove critical here. India belatedly recovered their poise thanks to a fighting half-century from the recalled Karun Nair, who two years ago made 150 here in a county game for Northamptonshire. With Woakes unlikely to feature again, and Washington Sundar – a centurion on Sunday in Manchester – at the crease, the tourists can still wriggle off the hook. They were helped by bowling that – Atkinson excepted – might charitably be described as a mixed bag. Tongue's first over contained a total of 11 wides, including two sets of five, as he sprayed it around like a graffiti artist after one too many. He partially redeemed himself with two beauties to dismiss the left-handed duo of Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja, each caught behind as they poked at balls that left them. At one point, Tongue touched 90mph. But if he goes to Australia, he'll need more control than this. Overton's pitch map, too, resembled a Jackson Pollock painting, and he finished with figure of 16–0–66–0. If he's unable to trouble Indian batsmen in helpful conditions on his home ground, what chance will he have down under? England can take control if they eliminate India's last four wickets for 50 or 60, then bat well Woakes, the only England seamer to play all five Tests this series, had earlier bowled KL Rahul, chopping on for 14, but enjoyed little luck. Then, shortly before 7pm, as he hared after a Nair off-drive and turned four into three with a committed dive, he jarred his left shoulder and grimaced in agony. If he plays no further part in this Test, the onus will fall on three young seamers, each appearing in their first game of the series. In other words, England may have to bat out of their skin if and when they get their chance today. It was all the more galling for Brendon McCullum's team that their first encounter with a pitch to their liking coincided with the absence through either injury or exhaustion of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. To add Woakes to that list as they seek to prevent India levelling the series was a cruel blow. But a combination of a packed schedule, a dry summer and self-interested county chief executives more interested in the bottom line than an England series win that would lift the whole cricket community has meant a series finale lacking the sense of occasion it deserves. England can still take control of this game if they polish off India's last four wickets for 50 or 60, then bat with the nous that brought them 669 in Manchester, even though a match-winning score on this pitch might be closer to 350. But India are not going down without a fight, and Woakes's woes confirmed a summer that is taking its toll on everyone.


North Wales Chronicle
24 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Gus Atkinson shines but inconsistent England fail to punish India at Oval
Atkinson was handed his first appearance of the series on home turf at the Kia Oval, returning from a hamstring injury with little more than a club appearance for Spencer CC and one tune-up for Surrey's second XI under his belt. But in the absence of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse – the captain out injured and the latter pair rested – Atkinson stood out from the crowd on an otherwise erratic performance from the hosts. He took two wickets and swooped to run out danger man Shubman Gill for 21, with India scrapping to 204 for six in bowler-friendly conditions. There was a late sting in the tail for the hosts as Chris Woakes suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in the field. His participated in the rest of the match looks highly doubtful, placing an even bigger burden on a fragile seam unit. While Atkinson took the opportunity to remind the selectors what they have been missing over the past four games, bowling with pace and discipline for figures of 19-7-31-2, it was a different story for England's other returning quicks on the most helpful surface of the summer. The recalled Josh Tongue turned in a perplexing performance, sending down a baffling pick'n'mix of wayward deliveries punctuated by two virtually unplayable balls that accounted for Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja. Both batters were undone by gems, speared in from round the wicket and seaming just enough to flick the edge. Beyond that he lacked any sense of control, frequently failing to make India play and sending down three separate sets of five wides. Jamie Overton, back for a second cap three years after his first, was also wayward and lacked cutting edge as his 16 overs cost a leaky 66. A strong day's work to kick off the final Test of the series 🙌 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025 Although England's position at the end of a rain-reduced day was respectable, they were guilty of making poor use of the murky clouds and a green-tinged pitch offering good pace and carry. Stokes, Archer and Carse, all of whom spilled plenty of sweat on lethargic tracks, must have been cursing their bad luck. Stokes' stand-in Ollie Pope benefitted from Gill's fifth consecutive loss at the toss and eagerly inserted the opposition as the floodlights kicked into action. Atkinson was on target from the off at a venue he knows well, snaring Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw courtesy of a judicious DRS referral. It was Pope's first ever successful review, ending a streak of 14 unsuccessful calls, and he celebrated just as much as his bowler after ending that sequence. Woakes, the sole ever-present in the English attack, picked up a second when the dogged KL Rahul was drawn out of his comfort zone and chopped a cut shot into his stumps. But a lack of consistent pressure from Tongue and Overton allowed India to wriggle off the hook to 72 for two when showers brought an early lunch. The teams did not get back on until 3pm and they were off for rain again less than half-an-hour later. But that slim window was all Atkinson needed to make his presence felt again. He was bowling to India's emphatically in-form captain Gill when a ridiculous attempt to steal a single presented an opening. Sudharsan refused to be the sacrificial lamb and sent Gill back, allowing Atkinson to extend his follow-through, pick-up and hurl down the stumps for a gift of a wicket. Chris Woakes is currently off the field after sustaining a suspected shoulder injury while diving for the ball by the boundary. Wishing you all the best, Woakesy 👊 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025 Gill had arrived at the crease on 722 runs at an average of just over 90 for the series – within sight of Sunil Gavaskar's Indian record of 774 – and departed courtesy of a dreadful self-inflicted wound. The weather eventually cleared to allow an extended final session and England picked up another three scalps despite continuing with their hit-and-miss offerings. At his worst Tongue looked well below the level but on two occasions he mustered something the great James Anderson would have been proud of. Sudharsan and Jadeja, who did not know which side of the wicket the next ball was coming from, could do nothing but succumb. Atkinson followed up with a hard-earned second, Dhruv Jurel fencing to Harry Brook at second slip one ball after surviving a tight lbw shout. Woakes' injury, which saw him crying out in pain after he tumbled retrieving the ball on the boundary rope, left England with a headache to resolve as Karun Nair ticked off a calm 52no to nudge his side past 200.

Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Gus Atkinson shines but inconsistent England fail to punish India at Oval
Atkinson was handed his first appearance of the series on home turf at the Kia Oval, returning from a hamstring injury with little more than a club appearance for Spencer CC and one tune-up for Surrey's second XI under his belt. But in the absence of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse – the captain out injured and the latter pair rested – Atkinson stood out from the crowd on an otherwise erratic performance from the hosts. He took two wickets and swooped to run out danger man Shubman Gill for 21, with India scrapping to 204 for six in bowler-friendly conditions. There was a late sting in the tail for the hosts as Chris Woakes suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in the field. His participated in the rest of the match looks highly doubtful, placing an even bigger burden on a fragile seam unit. While Atkinson took the opportunity to remind the selectors what they have been missing over the past four games, bowling with pace and discipline for figures of 19-7-31-2, it was a different story for England's other returning quicks on the most helpful surface of the summer. The recalled Josh Tongue turned in a perplexing performance, sending down a baffling pick'n'mix of wayward deliveries punctuated by two virtually unplayable balls that accounted for Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja. Both batters were undone by gems, speared in from round the wicket and seaming just enough to flick the edge. Beyond that he lacked any sense of control, frequently failing to make India play and sending down three separate sets of five wides. Jamie Overton, back for a second cap three years after his first, was also wayward and lacked cutting edge as his 16 overs cost a leaky 66. A strong day's work to kick off the final Test of the series 🙌 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025 Although England's position at the end of a rain-reduced day was respectable, they were guilty of making poor use of the murky clouds and a green-tinged pitch offering good pace and carry. Stokes, Archer and Carse, all of whom spilled plenty of sweat on lethargic tracks, must have been cursing their bad luck. Stokes' stand-in Ollie Pope benefitted from Gill's fifth consecutive loss at the toss and eagerly inserted the opposition as the floodlights kicked into action. Atkinson was on target from the off at a venue he knows well, snaring Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw courtesy of a judicious DRS referral. It was Pope's first ever successful review, ending a streak of 14 unsuccessful calls, and he celebrated just as much as his bowler after ending that sequence. Woakes, the sole ever-present in the English attack, picked up a second when the dogged KL Rahul was drawn out of his comfort zone and chopped a cut shot into his stumps. But a lack of consistent pressure from Tongue and Overton allowed India to wriggle off the hook to 72 for two when showers brought an early lunch. The teams did not get back on until 3pm and they were off for rain again less than half-an-hour later. But that slim window was all Atkinson needed to make his presence felt again. He was bowling to India's emphatically in-form captain Gill when a ridiculous attempt to steal a single presented an opening. Sudharsan refused to be the sacrificial lamb and sent Gill back, allowing Atkinson to extend his follow-through, pick-up and hurl down the stumps for a gift of a wicket. Chris Woakes is currently off the field after sustaining a suspected shoulder injury while diving for the ball by the boundary. Wishing you all the best, Woakesy 👊 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025 Gill had arrived at the crease on 722 runs at an average of just over 90 for the series – within sight of Sunil Gavaskar's Indian record of 774 – and departed courtesy of a dreadful self-inflicted wound. The weather eventually cleared to allow an extended final session and England picked up another three scalps despite continuing with their hit-and-miss offerings. At his worst Tongue looked well below the level but on two occasions he mustered something the great James Anderson would have been proud of. Sudharsan and Jadeja, who did not know which side of the wicket the next ball was coming from, could do nothing but succumb. Atkinson followed up with a hard-earned second, Dhruv Jurel fencing to Harry Brook at second slip one ball after surviving a tight lbw shout. Woakes' injury, which saw him crying out in pain after he tumbled retrieving the ball on the boundary rope, left England with a headache to resolve as Karun Nair ticked off a calm 52no to nudge his side past 200.