India Rises Strong Against England In Thrilling Fifth Test Clash
Day two of the fifth and final Test between India and England turned into a spectacle of comebacks, surprises, and sheer determination. What began as a day of dominance for the English team ended in a spirited Indian response that has now tilted the momentum back toward the visitors. Playing at The Oval in London, this clash has turned into one of the most captivating matches in the modern Test era, with each session delivering unpredictable drama.
England came into day two with an upper hand after having restricted India to 204 for 6 at stumps on day one. The early hours of the morning session were filled with swift success for the hosts as India’s lower order once again collapsed. But just when it looked like England would run away with the game, India’s pacers hit back hard and pulled their side right back into the contest.
India’s Tail Folds Quickly As Atkinson Strikes
Resuming their innings on 204 for 6, India had hopes of stretching their total towards 275 or more. However, the English seamers, especially Gus Atkinson, had other ideas. Atkinson, returning to Test cricket for the first time since May, delivered a blistering spell of fast bowling. He picked up five wickets for just 33 runs, tearing through the Indian tail within half an hour.
Karun Nair, who had held firm on day one, was dismissed leg before wicket for 57. Washington Sundar soon followed, edging one to the slips for 26. Atkinson then took full command by bowling out Mohammed Siraj and forcing a faint edge from Prasidh Krishna, both of whom were dismissed for ducks. The Indian innings wrapped up quickly at 224, giving England a slim but psychologically important advantage heading into their first innings.
This kind of lower-order collapse has been a worrying trend for India throughout the summer. Once again, their tail offered minimal resistance, letting the top and middle-order efforts go in vain.
England Start Explosively With Bazball On Display
In response, England began their innings in true ‘Bazball’ fashion. The opening pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett came out with aggression and intent, treating the Indian bowlers with complete disdain. Duckett, in particular, stunned everyone with an audacious “reverse hook” shot that flew for six over fine leg, a shot that summed up England’s fearless new approach to Test cricket.
In just seven overs, England reached fifty, setting a new record for their fastest fifty in Test match opening partnerships. By the twelfth over, they had crossed 90 without losing a wicket. The Indian bowlers looked rattled, and for a brief moment, it felt like England would pile up a huge first innings total and run away with the match.
But the drama had just begun.
Indian Bowlers Lead a Fierce Counter-Attack
After lunch, India’s pacers came out with renewed energy and purpose. The momentum began to shift as Duckett, attempting another risky reverse sweep, edged the ball to the keeper and was dismissed for 43. With that one wicket, the rhythm began to shift. Zak Crawley, who had looked solid, departed soon after for 64 as India tightened the screws.
Ollie Pope tried to counterattack but didn’t last long and was caught cheaply. Then came the crucial blow—Joe Root, England’s backbone in such situations, was trapped leg-before by Mohammed Siraj for 29. That was the moment the crowd realized that India was not only back in the game but also dictating terms.
Jacob Bethell followed Root’s path soon after, failing to read the movement of the ball and falling LBW. Then, KL Rahul took a sharp catch in the slip cordon to dismiss Jamie Smith for eight, a breakthrough that further ignited Indian hopes. Prasidh Krishna, who had been expensive early on, returned with a vengeance, dismissing Jamie Overton and Atkinson in quick succession.
England, who once stood comfortably at 109 for 1, was suddenly bowled out for 247. The home side had only managed to secure a 23-run leadvsmall enough to be wiped out with just a few overs of batting.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Dominates With a Quickfire Fifty
India’s second innings began with a point to prove, and Yashasvi Jaiswal took that challenge upon himself. From the moment he walked out to bat, Jaiswal looked like a man on a mission. He played his shots with confidence and aggression, reaching his half-century in just 70 balls.
Despite the English bowlers trying to bounce back, Jaiswal was unfazed. He targeted the gaps smartly, drove with elegance, and punished anything short. On 40, he got a major reprieve as he was dropped in the deep an error England would come to regret quickly. Jaiswal capitalized on the missed opportunity and ended the day unbeaten on 51.
His opening partner KL Rahul did not have a great outing and was dismissed for just 7, giving Josh Tongue a breakthrough. Sai Sudharsan, who had looked promising, was declared leg-before to Atkinson after scoring 11. Akash Deep came in as the nightwatchman and remained unbeaten on four.
By stumps, India had reached 75 for 2, leading by 52 runs with eight wickets in hand. It was a remarkable turnaround in just a few hours of play, and with the weather set fair for the weekend, the Test hangs in balance.
The Heat of the Battle: Intensity and Emotions Rise
Cricket is often a game of emotions, and this match was no different. There were several tense moments between players that reflected the pressure of the series. When Akash Deep dismissed Duckett, he celebrated with an aggressive send-off that sparked criticism on social media and from former players.
Later, a heated exchange took place between Prasidh Krishna and Joe Root, adding to the intensity of the match. The umpires had to intervene more than once to calm players down. Emotions ran high on both sides, showing how much this Test match and the series mean to both teams.
Chris Woakes, a key player for England, could not take part in the game due to an injury, and his absence was deeply felt in both the batting and bowling departments. This has added further strain on England’s line-up, especially when India’s batsmen began scoring freely towards the end of the day.
England’s Missed Opportunities Prove Costly
For England, the day ended in disappointment despite a strong start. The initial momentum was firmly in their control, but they let it slip through their fingers. The fielding errors, especially the dropped catch of Jaiswal, hurt them the most. Those are the chances teams can’t afford to miss in close matches.
Their aggressive batting worked early but lacked patience when the Indian bowlers started exploiting the conditions. The middle and lower order collapsed under pressure, and the bowlers couldn’t do much with a small lead. Their lack of discipline in the field and over-reliance on the top-order batters has put them on the back foot.
India’s Spirit Shines Bright at The Oval
India’s strength in this match has been their ability to bounce back. From a disappointing start with the bat to a fiery second innings bowling spell and then a confident batting display by Jaiswal, the team has shown grit and character.
The fast bowlers led the way, proving that they can dominate even in English conditions. Mohammed Siraj’s four-wicket haul and Prasidh Krishna’s bounce-back performance show the depth in India’s pace attack. Meanwhile, Jaiswal’s controlled aggression has added a positive edge to the batting line-up.
The team’s unity and energy have been the biggest highlights, and it is this combination of talent and attitude that makes them a dangerous side even on foreign soil.
What Day Three Could Bring
With India 52 runs ahead and eight wickets still in hand, day three promises to be just as exciting. If Jaiswal continues his rich form and India’s middle order holds firm, they could build a lead that puts serious pressure on England in the fourth innings.
On the other hand, England will need early wickets to swing the balance back. They will have to bowl with precision and grab every opportunity in the field. The conditions at The Oval remain favorable for batting, so both teams still have a chance to dictate the outcome.
This Test series, already filled with surprises and dramatic moments, is heading toward a thrilling finish. With each team refusing to back down, cricket lovers around the world and especially in the UAE and the Middle East are in for a sporting treat.
