India, Aug. 1 -- Karun Nair stood firm on a spicy Oval surface to script a gritty, potentially career-saving half-century on the opening day of the fifth and final Test against England. Returning to the Indian XI after being left out for the fourth Test, Nair weathered the seaming conditions and a mid-innings collapse to remain unbeaten on 52 at stumps, guiding India to 204/6 on a rain-hit Day 1.

As praise poured in from various quarters, former England skipper and Delhi Capitals batting coach Kevin Pietersen acknowledged Nair; the duo worked together during the IPL earlier this year. Pietersen revealed Nair spent considerable time discussing batting in English conditions with him as part of preparations for the Test series during IPL 20...