Ball controversy mars final test day

Leeds

Day 5 of the opening Test between India and England at Headingley saw early tension as ball controversy resurfaced, echoing issues from the first innings. Indian captain Shubman Gill, along with pacers Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur, expressed dissatisfaction over the condition of the old ball. After inspection using the ring gauge, umpires decided not to replace it, leading to visible frustration in the Indian camp.

Meanwhile, England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley provided a strong foundation in pursuit of the stiff 371-run target. Duckett played the aggressor, racing to his half-century off 66 balls, while Crawley supported steadily. By the 24th over, England had surged to 94/0, requiring 277 more runs to seal victory.

India’s bowlers struggled for breakthroughs on a pitch that had slowed down, with inconsistent seam movement offering little assistance. A missed stumping by Rishabh Pant and a failed DRS review by Gill added to India’s frustrations. Despite overcast conditions, the expected rain held off initially, allowing uninterrupted play in the morning session.

Both teams wore black armbands in memory of former Indian spinner Dilip Doshi, who passed away on Monday. A minute’s silence was observed before play began. India now faces a stiff challenge, needing all ten wickets on the final day. England, with momentum and a solid platform, have turned the contest into a thrilling finish. With the weather still a looming threat, the result could go down to the wire in this high-stakes encounter of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.