Green top, overcast conditions, moving ball and struggling Indian batters. That was the scene at The Oval on the first day of the fifth and final Test against England. And if that wasn’t enough, then the skipper showcased a bizarre way of getting out in international cricket. The English bowling attack functioned like a well-oiled machine. However, the third session saw the momentum titling towards India and Karun Nair stealing the show. Karun Nair scored a crucial half-century on a challenging pitch as other batters struggled, leaving India at 204 for six at the end of a rain-hit first day of the fifth Test series decider against England on Thursday. After being dropped for the fourth Test, Nair (52 not out off 98 balls) returned to the team and performed under pressure in difficult conditions with the ball moving throughout the day. He was at the crease alongside Washington Sundar (19 not out off 45) at stumps. Rain interrupted play twice, but still, 64 overs were completed in an extended evening session that lasted until 7:30 pm local time. India lost three wickets in the third session, including the well-set Sai Sudharsan (38 off 108) and the in-form Ravindra Jadeja (9 off 13), both falling to Josh Tongue’s deliveries that moved away to take the outside edge. Playing his first Test of the series, Gus Atkinson impressed with two wickets. Except for Atkinson, Tongue and Jamie Overton bowled too many loose deliveries. Chris Woakes, the only pacer besides Mohammed Siraj to play all five Tests, injured his shoulder while fielding towards the end of play, forcing him off the field and casting doubt on his participation in the game. Nair, playing his first Test in eight years at Leeds, finally capitalised on his start, and considering the conditions, his unbeaten fifty is highly valuable. He reached his milestone with a couple off left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell in the final half-hour of play. A sublime cover drive off Tongue in the 38th over was among the seven fours from Nair’s bat. (With Agency Inputs)