India’s hopes in the fifth and final Test at The Oval rest heavily on their bowlers after the batting unit failed to put up a substantial total in the first innings. After ending Day 1 at 204/6, thanks largely to a fighting half-century from Karun Nair, the visitors crumbled early on Day 2, adding just 20 more runs before being bowled out.Despite the bleak start, young batter Sai Sudharsan offered a sliver of hope, pointing to the surface as a potential factor that could aid India’s bowling comeback.Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Sudharsan said, “The wicket was a bit soft and had more bounce. Moving forward, with more sunlight, it (the pitch) will get better. There are a few pits here and there, which can make the ball go faster. This could be useful for the Indian bowlers.”His remarks come after a day of frustration with the bat and a strong start from the opposition, who raced to 92 in just 12.5 overs before Ben Duckett fell to Akash Deep. England’s aggressive start was spearheaded by Zak Crawley, who smashed a quick 64 before being dismissed after lunch.
India’s first innings saw Karun Nair top-score with a gritty 57 off 109 balls, while Sudharsan himself contributed a steady 38 off 108. However, the rest of the line-up failed to offer resistance, with tailenders Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna all falling without scoring.The conditions on Day 1 were far from ideal, as frequent rain interruptions led to a stop-start rhythm that possibly disrupted the batters’ momentum. But with the forecast showing clearer skies and more sun expected, Sudharsan believes the changing surface could play into India’s hands.
Poll
Can India’s bowlers make a comeback in the second innings?
With England off to a flying start and India chasing the series-levelling win, the bowlers will need to capitalise on every bit of assistance the pitch offers. As the match progresses, the onus is now firmly on the bowling unit to swing the momentum back in India’s favour.
About the Author
