After losing KL Rahul early on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, India staged a spirited comeback, aided in part by England’s sloppy fielding. The hosts dropped three crucial catches — Yashasvi Jaiswal twice and Sai Sudharsan once — allowing India to seize the momentum and take a 41-run lead in the second innings.
Jaiswal, who was given multiple reprieves, made England pay by notching up a resilient half-century, anchoring the Indian response. His innings proved pivotal in shifting the pressure back on England after an eventful first day dominated by overcast conditions and a rain-interrupted session.
Earlier in the match, Harry Brook had top-scored for England with a fluent 53, helping the home side eke out a slender lead in their first innings after play resumed following a lengthy rain delay on Day 1.
India’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, turned the tide with superb spells. Both pacers claimed four wickets each, with Krishna returning his best Test figures of 4 for 62, showcasing pace and discipline in helpful conditions. Siraj, meanwhile, achieved a personal milestone by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, further cementing his growing stature in red-ball cricket.
On Day 1, Gus Atkinson had rattled India’s top order with a fiery five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 56 to bowl the visitors out for 224. India’s innings was held together by a determined Karun Nair, who top-scored with 57 in testing conditions. He, along with Washington Sundar, ensured India didn’t lose further wickets late in the day, navigating a hostile spell from England’s quicks to take the team to stumps without further damage.
With Jaiswal still at the crease and India holding a slender lead, the match remains finely poised heading into Day 3 at The Oval.
