India hold a slight edge as England threw away big advantage on day2 of 5th Test

 

 The Oval. Day 2 of this Test proved to be a rollercoaster of drama and momentum shifts. India’s first innings folded for just 224, with the last four wickets falling for a mere six runs. In response, England’s openers — Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett — launched a counter-assault, taking their team to 90 runs inside just 12 overs. At that stage, it felt like India were on the back foot again. 

England were eventually bowled out for 247, managing a slender 23-run lead. India, in their second innings, finished Day 2 at 75/2 — leading by 52 runs.

Karun Nair, who had taken charge of India’s resistance on Day 1, was dismissed for 57 early on the second morning. Once he fell, India’s batting unravelled quickly. Hopes had also rested on Washington Sundar, who had scored a match-saving century in the previous Test, but he too was dismissed for 26. What followed was a procession — Siraj and Akash Deep failed to score, and the innings ended just 27 minutes into Day 2.

England’s Gus Atkinson was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up 5 wickets for just 33 runs. Josh Tongue claimed 3, while Chris Woakes chipped in with one. Woakes, however, didn’t return to the field again — he had injured his shoulder while saving a boundary on Day 1 and was later ruled out of the series. But despite his absence, England’s pace battery had little trouble cleaning up India’s tail.

England’s reply began in true Bazball fashion. Crawley and Duckett scored at nearly seven an over, hammering the Indian pacers. When the scoreboard read 92/0 in just 12.5 overs, Duckett tried to scoop Akash Deep but ended up edging to the keeper for 43. Interestingly, the Bengal pacer didn’t celebrate aggressively — instead, he smiled and patted Duckett on the shoulder, whispering something as the batter walked off. While the words weren’t caught, many believe it was a sarcastic jibe.

Crawley continued briefly but was dismissed for 64 by Prasidh Krishna. Soon after, Ollie Pope was trapped LBW by Siraj for 22. When Joe Root departed for 29 lbw to Siraj , England were 175/4. They continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, eventually ending their innings at 247. Harry Brook scored a fighting 53 before 

Siraj finished with figures of 4/86, while Prasidh Krishna took 4/62. Akash Deep also chipped in with one wicket.

India’s second innings began aggressively, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young opener played with intent and received a lifeline early when Harry Brook dropped him at slip. KL Rahul, however, couldn’t capitalise — his struggles continued as he edged Tongue behind for 7. Jaiswal survived again when a pull shot off Tongue went straight to Dawson at the boundary, but the fielder spilled a simple chance.

Sai Sudharsan, who had impressed in the first innings with a gritty fifty, couldn’t repeat the effort. He was dismissed for 11 after another dropped chance — this time by Crawley — went unpunished initially. At stumps, India were 75/2, with Jaiswal unbeaten on 51 and nightwatchman Akash Deep on 4. India lead by 52 runs.