London :India’s hopes of levelling the Test series against England suffered a major setback on Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval, as captain Shubman Gill was run out in a moment that shifted the momentum heavily in the hosts’ favour. Despite batting with composure and fluency on a rain-affected day, Gill’s dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, leaving India reeling at 204 for 6 by stumps.
Gill, who has been a standout performer throughout the series, looked in fine touch yet again before being caught short attempting a risky single shortly after the rain break. The dismissal visibly deflated the Indian innings, with wickets falling at regular intervals as the English bowlers exploited the overcast conditions effectively.
England assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate later rued the captain’s run-out, calling it a pivotal moment in the day’s play. “It was unfortunate to see Gill go like that. He was batting beautifully, making it look easy even on a tricky surface. That run-out changed the tempo completely,” Ten Doeschate said.
Amid scrutiny over team selection, Ten Doeschate also defended India’s decision to rest pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the decisive match. With the conditions at The Oval heavily favouring seam bowling, Bumrah’s absence surprised many. However, team management clarified that the omission was a strategic decision aimed at managing workload ahead of future assignments.
“Resting Bumrah was clearly part of a long-term fitness and workload management strategy,” Ten Doeschate explained. “These choices are tough, but India’s bench strength is strong, and they’ve backed their players all series.”
India fielded a different playing XI for the fifth consecutive match, a trend that has sparked debate among pundits and fans alike. While the tactical rotations reflect the team’s depth and adaptability, the lack of continuity may be hampering consistency—particularly under high-pressure scenarios like this one.
The day also saw England grappling with their own injury woes. Veteran pacer Chris Woakes left the field with a shoulder concern and could miss the remainder of the Test, further intensifying the battle between the two sides as the match heads toward a tense finale.
With rain interruptions and fading light cutting short play on Day 2, India now finds itself in a precarious position. The visitors will need a strong lower-order effort and disciplined bowling performance to keep series hopes alive and avoid a 3-1 defeat on English soil.
As the series decider unfolds, both teams are grappling with setbacks—India from a costly misjudgment, and England from a key injury. The final days promise high drama, where fine margins could again dictate the outcome.
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