Follow UsThe Oval Test match has started off well as both India and England had their moments on Day 1. England pacers managed to keep the Indian batters unsettled and managed to dismiss them cheaply. For Team India, Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair were the best batters, with Nair managing to get a fifty after eight years. Despite rain playing spoilsport and eating up a session, India have managed to end the day on 204/6.
With a crucial day coming up on August 1 (Friday), here are the possible things we can expect from The Oval.
England bowlers had a fantastic Day 1 as all their bowlers managed to dismiss India batters cheaply, utilising the overcast conditions and the help from the grass on the pitch. They will be expected to continue the momentum heading into Day 2 as their record shows The Oval being the best venue for bowlers on the second day of a Test match in the last four years. England will be hoping to dismiss India under 300 and take a psychological advantage.
Josh Tongue was the best bowler on Day 1 as the right-arm pacer managed to take two big wickets of Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja. His lengths might be erratic, but he found a way to bowl an unplayable delivery, foxing the batters. His record on Day 2 has been the best as he has taken half of his career wickets on the second day, averaging 14.9. He will be hoping to continue the good start and take a five-wicket haul.
England batters have been the best-scoring team in Tests since Bazball. Their scoring rate on Day 2 is far superior to any other team as they have a run rate of 4.5, averaging 36.7 per wicket. With the pitch easing out and becoming better for batting, England will be keen to score big and get at least 400 runs on the board.