India Vs England Test Series 2025 has finally come to an end as the decider match has started at the Oval. From 31st July 2025 to 4th August 2025, India will face England for the last time on this Tendulkar-Anderson trophy.
The guest country is already trailing 2-1 till now, they need a strong start to draw the series.
England misses its key player, Ben Stokes (ruled out with a shoulder injury), and Jasprit Bumrah is also rested. The host opted to bowl after winning the crucial toss.
This Day 1 encounter was characterized by rain delays, fluctuating momentum, and a potentially game‑changing injury to England’s Chris Woakes. When you play fantasy cricket, check all the external factors before drafting the team. External factors like pitch conditions, injury status, opponent’s strength, weather updates, etc., may hamper the performance of your team.
India ended the day on 204 for 6 in 64 overs, with England feeling both relief and concern heading into Day 2. This blog highlights the key points from Day 1.
Match Highlights & Key Moments
1. England’s early strike and disruptive conditions
Overcast conditions and a grassy pitch suggested movement, and England’s seamers exploited these conditions sporadically. However, consistency was elusive.
Josh Tongue produced impressive spells, including dismissals of Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja through sharp swing off seam movement, despite bouts of wayward lines. Meanwhile, Jamie Overton and the others struggled to control their lengths on a surface that promised more than they delivered.
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2. The turning point: Shubman Gill’s run‑out
Though Indian skipper Shubman Gill has held outstanding performances throughout the series, he succumbed to frustration during the mid-afternoon session. Driving the ball gently to the offside, he attempted a run that never existed.
Gus Atkinson, sensing opportunity, threw down the stumps directly, catching Gill yards short and sending him back for 21. With his dismissal, India managed to accumulate 123 runs against 5 wickets.
3. Middle‑order recovery & innings consolidation
From 123/5, Karun Nair and Washington Sundar staged a gritty rescue. Nair anchored the lower order with a composed unbeaten 52 off 98 balls, while Sundar added a patient 19 not out. Their 50‑run partnership was arguably the highlight of India’s day, reaching 204/6 at stumps and providing a platform to build on in the second innings.
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4. Injury blow: Chris Woakes looks doubtful
The biggest turning point of the day came when Chris Woakes, one of England’s only ever‑present seamers in the series, dove full length to save a boundary before half‑time and appeared to suffer a left shoulder dislocation.
He was carried off the field clutching his arm and was visibly in agony. With scans pending, he now faces the possibility of missing the rest of the Test and maybe even jeopardizing his Test career.
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5. England’s bowling: spark but little success
Pitch conditions offered swing and seam, yet England took only six wickets in 64 overs. Atkinson’s return was encouraging, two wickets for 31 from 19 overs, but the attack suffered without Stokes and with Woakes potentially out.
Tongue delivered mixed spells: occasional excellence but also erratic wides. Overton remained off the pace with figures of 0/66 across the day.
6. Weather and interruptions
Play was significantly disrupted by rain and looming bad light, contributing to a “slow, end‑of‑series” atmosphere despite a full crowd. Delays meant many overs in fits and starts, hampering both teams’ rhythm.
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Summary Table
| Team | Score | Notable Contributions | Key Moments |
| India | 204/6 (64 ov) | Karun Nair 52*, Washington 19* | Shubman Gill run‑out, middle‑order stand |
| England | 6 wickets | Atkinson 2/31, Tongue wickets | Injury to Woakes, lack of control |
Implications & Outlook
- India will feel cautiously positive. Although losing early wickets, the tail-end recovery gives them a presence to build on Day 2.
- England’s bowling unit has suffered a serious blow. If Woakes is not playing further, England’s bowlers will be Atkinson, Tongue, Overton, and part‑timers like Bethell and Joe Root.
- Captaincy changes continue: With Ben Stokes ruled out due to a muscle tear, Ollie Pope is leading the side, and with Woakes out, his tactical depth will be tested.
Conclusion
Day 1 at The Oval offered tension, strategic shifts, and a potentially crucial injury. India’s 204/6 doesn’t tell the full story; what matters now is how both teams respond.
India to capitalize on their steadiness, and England to regroup amid uncertainty. The potential loss of Chris Woakes could tilt the Test heavily in India’s favor unless England unearth fresh inspiration.
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