Chris Woakes out of Fifth Test citing Shoulder Injury – Will Kunal Nair sustain his comeback

India’s fifth test against England is sizzling with interest and anticipation as the domino of wickets fall on the first day with only Kunal Nair’s fifty to highlight for the visitors, the hosts lose their stealthy pacer to a shoulder injury. 

Chris Woakes, who delivered some crucial blows to the Indian batsmen and even bowled off KL Rahul early in the inning will be retiring from the squad due to a nasty shoulder injury from defending a boundary. Leaving the hosts in a sweating position to find a pace unit to defend on Day 2, Woakes’ absence will be a huge blow for the team. 

Teammate Gus Atkinson gave an update on the All Rounder’s condition, “I don’t know too much about it, but it doesn’t look great. It’s a big shame, last game of the series, and when anyone gets injured, it’s a shame. I’m hoping it’s not too bad, and whatever it is, he’ll get full support from everyone”, ICC reported post Day 1 stumps. 

India are currently 204-6 post Day 1 with Kunal Nair and Washington Sundar on the crease to scramble any more score with Sundar standing as the last reliable batsman. While the past stats on The Oval created an initial hope for India as teams batting first in the ground have won the game 7 out of 10 times, the current situation can dip or spike in any direction.

England apart from missing several key players including the Test Captain Stokes, will now have to focus on their receding bowling unit. Josh Tongue pulled through an underrated performance with two spells, including dismantling the in-form Sai Sudharshan and pillaring All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. 

Gus Atkinson also holds two wickets, dismissing Jaiswal with a Leg Before Wicket, Dhruv Jurel caught by Brook and a crucial run out of skipper Gill, their performance has placed England in a higher step nearing Day 2, still lacking vital players.