ENG vs IND [WATCH]: Josh Tongue strikes massive with two dream deliveries to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja and Sai Sudharsan | Day 1, Oval Check

The stage was set for an exciting ultimate Check between India and England at The Oval, however Day 1 became a dramatic encounter, thanks primarily to England’s Josh Tongue. In a rain-affected session that challenged each groups, Tongue’s sharp bowling spell swung the momentum in England’s favour by dismantling India’s center order with two essential wickets. As India desperately tries to attract degree within the sequence, Tongue’s incisive spells have piled the strain on the guests, leaving them observing a tricky uphill battle.

Josh Tongue’s distinctive deliveries dismiss Ravindra Jadeja and Sai Sudharsan similarly

In a recreation the place each supply may show decisive, Tongue emerged as the person with the golden contact. After India’s captain Shubman Gill fell to a run-out, the accountability largely fell on Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja to regular the innings. Sudharsan seemed decided, occupying the crease with a gritty 38 off 108 balls, seemingly knitting collectively a gentle partnership. Nonetheless, Tongue had different plans. Within the thirty sixth over, he produced a masterpiece supply—a ball that angled in sharply earlier than nipping away late, fooling Sudharsan fully. The delicate late motion compelled the left-hander into an edge, discovering a straightforward catch behind the stumps by Jamie Smith. This was no bizarre wicket; it was a precision strike that demonstrated Tongue’s rising talent and flexibility, particularly on a difficult pitch.

Simply when India hoped to rebuild, Tongue struck once more within the fortieth over with a ball that was even craftier. This supply was shorter in size however whipped off the floor, shifting away simply sufficient to unsettle Jadeja. The all-rounder, identified for resilience and regular batting, discovered himself trapped in a weak place, edging one other catch to Smith. Jadeja’s dismissal for 9 runs got here at an important juncture when India wanted stability, growing the guests’ predicament and elevating the stakes for the sequence finale.

Right here’s the video:

Like déjà vu, however with receipts. pic.twitter.com/vUF9F6ccaZ

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025

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A mountain to climb for India within the ultimate Check

The climate, very similar to the pitch and Tongue’s bowling, was unyielding on Day 1 at The Oval. Rain interruptions disrupted the rhythm, limiting taking part in time and including a layer of complexity for each groups. Below such circumstances, each wicket turns into a psychological blow, and Tongue’s twin strikes delivered a potent one-two punch to India’s hopes of setting a commanding complete.

At present trailing 2-1 within the sequence, India should clinch a win on this decider to keep away from a loss within the sequence. Dropping two key middle-order batters at this stage, Sudharsan, who had simply discovered some type, and Jadeja, the skilled campaigner, has compounded their difficulties. Their fall has left the Indian batting lineup uncovered, scrambling to regular the ship towards a rising English assault hungry to seal the sequence. For England, this improvement is a transparent signal of momentum and confidence. For India, it’s a stark reminder that the Oval pitch, made treacherous by circumstances and tongue’s unplayable deliveries, calls for unwavering focus and resilience within the coming days.

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