A gripping second day at The Oval saw India turn a precarious position into a genuine fightback, thanks to a fiery spell from Mohammed Siraj and an audacious counterattack by Yashasvi Jaiswal.
What started with a morning of frustration for the visitors ended with England under pressure, despite having enjoyed a commanding start.
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Morning Collapse Gives England Early Control
India’s hopes of building on their overnight score of 204/6 were quickly dashed. Within 29 minutes, the final four wickets had fallen, adding just 20 runs to the total. Karun Nair, holding the innings together overnight, was trapped lbw by Josh Tongue almost immediately. Washington Sundar succumbed to a cleverly set short-ball trap, while Siraj was bowled and Prasidh Krishna nicked behind to a rising delivery he could neither evade nor control.
Gus Atkinson capped England’s dominance with three quick strikes to complete his five-wicket haul. Extras and edges were India’s only sources of runs in a collapse that underlined their morning misery.
England’s Openers Unleash Controlled Mayhem
England responded in a fashion reminiscent of their most explosive Test batting days. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley stormed to fifty in just seven overs — the joint-fastest against India in a first innings. They pushed on to reach 100 inside 15 overs, making it the third-fastest team hundred India has ever conceded in Test cricket.
Crawley’s long reach allowed him to smother bounce, while Duckett’s nimble footwork and inventive strokeplay turned good balls into scoring opportunities. Together, they surpassed the previous record tally for an England opening pair against India, eclipsing the combined runs of Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss.
Duckett had an early escape, edging Akash Deep only for the chance to fall between backward point and gully. The very next ball, he unfurled a reverse scoop over the slips — the earliest such shot in a Test innings since Sam Konstas’s audacious stroke against Jasprit Bumrah last year. Ironically, the same shot would later cause his downfall to Akash Deep, but not before England had already posted 92 runs.
Crawley’s Dismissal Sparks Shift in Momentum
Crawley carried the charge forward, reaching his 19th Test half-century — and third of the series — from just 42 balls. Yet his dismissal after Lunch, miscuing a pull to give Prasidh Krishna his first breakthrough, became the turning point.
Recognising the need for change, India’s bowlers adjusted their lengths and lines, pitching the ball fuller and attacking the stumps more consistently. The Oval pitch, still offering seam and bounce, began to play into their hands.
Siraj’s Relentless Eight-Over Masterclass
With Akash Deep withdrawn, Mohammed Siraj entered the attack and immediately breathed life into India’s challenge. His fourth ball trapped Ollie Pope lbw with a sharp in-ducker. Moments later, Joe Root, visibly unsettled after a verbal exchange with Prasidh, was pinned in front by a length delivery that jagged back.
Siraj’s standout moment came with a sensational inswinging yorker to Jacob Bethell, striking the toe with unerring precision. In a tireless eight-over burst, he claimed 3 for 35 with a false-shot rate of 31.2%.
Prasidh, regaining rhythm, removed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton in the same over. England, from a position of dominance, now looked vulnerable.
Brook’s Resistance Ends with Siraj Again
After Tea, Harry Brook attempted to wrest back control. His inventive strokeplay, including a falling scoop-sweep, brought him a 13th Test fifty.
However, Siraj once again proved the breaker of momentum, dismissing Brook soon after to seal figures of 4 for 86. England’s innings folded for 247 in just 51.2 overs, their lead a mere 23. Prasidh Krishna matched Siraj’s haul with 4 for 62, a reward for persistence after a tough tour.
Jaiswal Fires India into the Lead
India’s second innings began with a clear statement of intent. Yashasvi Jaiswal wasted no time erasing the deficit, steering the visitors into the lead within 4.5 overs. While Josh Tongue kept a disciplined line, Jaiswal pounced on any looseness from Atkinson and Jamie Overton. He launched two soaring sixes, using pace and bounce to his advantage.
KL Rahul, playing away from his body, edged Tongue to slip. Sai Sudharsan, after a brief stay, was trapped lbw by Atkinson. But England’s fielding let them down in the final hour — three catches went down, including two reprieves for Jaiswal. Harry Brook shelled one in the slips, and Liam Dawson dropped another in the deep.
By stumps, Jaiswal had rocketed to a 44-ball fifty, unbeaten on 51, and India had reached 75/2 — a lead of 52 that looked improbable earlier in the day.
Momentum Swings Against the Hosts
For all their morning dominance, England ended the day with the game slipping from their grasp. Siraj’s unwavering energy and Jaiswal’s attacking flair had shifted the dynamics entirely.
The pitch still offered assistance to the seamers, but with India’s lead building and confidence restored, the final three days promised a fierce contest.
Brief Scores
India 224 & 75/2 (Jaiswal 51*) lead England 247 (Crawley 64, Brook 53; Prasidh 4-62, Siraj 4-86) by 52 runs.
What to Expect on Day 3
The third day is likely to test batters more as the pitch continues to wear, with uneven bounce and sharper seam movement expected to creep in. India, however, will need to maintain the positive intent shown by Yashasvi Jaiswal, ensuring they don’t allow England’s bowlers to dictate terms.
With captain Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, and Washington Sundar still to come, the visitors have the depth to build a competitive total. On a surface where run-making will gradually become harder, setting England a fourth-innings target of anything above 230 could prove decisive.
Read More: Indian Cricket Team Initiates Major Pace Attack Transformation with Centre of Excellence Camp
FAQs
Who was India’s top performer on Day 2?
Mohammed Siraj, with his inspired eight-over spell yielding 4 for 86, turned the game in India’s favour.
How quickly did England reach their first 50 runs?
They reached fifty in just seven overs, equalling the joint-fastest mark against India in a first innings.
What was Yashasvi Jaiswal’s strike rate in his fifty?
Jaiswal scored his 44-ball half-century at a strike rate of over 113.
How many wickets did Prasidh Krishna take?
Prasidh Krishna took 4 for 62, complementing Siraj’s haul.
What is India’s lead at the end of Day 2?
India leads England by 52 runs with eight wickets remaining.
