During a dramatic moment in the 13th over of India's first innings in the fifth Test against England at The Oval, young Indian batter Sai Sudharsan found himself quite literally floored by a searing delivery from England pacer Josh Tongue.
Charging in with rhythm and venom, Tongue fired in a toe-crushing yorker that tailed in viciously at full pace. Sudharsan attempted to dig it out, but the ball snuck past his bat with an inside edge, crashed into his front pad, and swept his legs from under him in the process. In a rare sight on a cricket field, the impact left Sudharsan flat on the pitch, face first, in what looked like a body blow more fitting for a boxing ring than a cricket ground.
The incident was a reminder of the raw pace and sharp movement Josh Tongue can generate, even on relatively benign surfaces, and the kind of challenge young batters like Sudharsan face when stepping onto the biggest stage.
Sudharsan, to his credit, got back on his feet quickly and showed no signs of discomfort, but the moment became an instant replay favorite and a symbolic highlight of the first session.
IND Vs ENG, 5th Test: Ollie Pope's Successful DRS Call Draws Applause From Ben Stokes As Yashasvi Jaiswal Departs Early; Video
England drew first blood in the final Test of the series at The Oval, as fast bowler Gus Atkinson dismissed India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for just 2 runs with a fiery delivery that crashed into the middle stump, thanks to a well-judged DRS call from captain Ollie Pope.
Bowling from around the wicket, Atkinson delivered one that jagged back sharply off a good length, angling in from outside off. Jaiswal, defending tentatively, brought his bat down at an awkward angle and was struck on the back pad. England appealed instantly for LBW, but the on-field umpire was unmoved.
There was an audible woody sound, prompting initial doubts, but Atkinson remained convinced, joined by enthusiastic voices from behind the stumps. Pope, equally confident, went upstairs for a review. On replay, it was clear: the bat and ball hadn’t connected. Instead, the ball brushed the front pad before thudding into the back pad.
Third umpire, after a brief check, confirmed no UltraEdge was needed. Ball tracking followed and it was damning for Jaiswal. Three reds lit up the screen as the ball was shown to be hitting middle stump. The on-field decision was overturned, and Jaiswal was sent back for 2 off 9 balls, leaving India at 10/1 in the early stages of the Test.
Captain Ollie Pope celebrated the successful review with a fist pump directed at the England dressing room, where injured talisman Ben Stokes, sidelined due to a shoulder issue, applauded the call. It was a moment of sharp captaincy and precise bowling, giving England the ideal start in a high-stakes encounter.
