India seized control of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with a spirited fightback on a dramatic second day at The Oval. Ending Friday at 75 for 2 in their second innings, India now lead England by 52 runs and appear to have the upper hand after a day dominated by bowlers and nerves.
The day saw a total of 15 wickets fall, beginning with India’s first innings being wrapped up for 224, thanks to Gus Atkinson’s superb 5 for 66 on his home ground. Josh Tongue also chipped in with three wickets, dismissing Karun Nair with a sharp inswinger before India’s lower order collapsed, losing four wickets for just six runs in 18 balls.
England began their reply with aggressive intent as openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett smashed 92 runs from just 77 balls. Duckett, in particular, went after the Indian attack with ramp shots and reverse pulls, scoring 43 off 28 deliveries before edging behind.
At lunch, England looked well in control at 109 for 1, trailing by just 115 runs. However, India turned the tide dramatically in the middle session. Mohammed Siraj (4 for 86) and Prasidh Krishna (4 for 62) sparked a collapse that saw England lose their last nine wickets for 155 runs.
Stand-in captain Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jacob Bethell all fell in quick succession as Siraj found late movement and bounce from the Pavilion End. Root’s dismissal for 29 came after an unsuccessful review, while Bethell departed cheaply for six. The pressure built further as Crawley, after reaching his third fifty of the series, fell to a mistimed pull off Prasidh.
Prasidh continued the onslaught by removing Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton in the same over before tea. After the break, Atkinson fell for an aggressive 16, and Harry Brook, who fought valiantly with 53 off 61 balls, was bowled by Siraj off an inside edge, bringing England’s innings to a close at 247 with a slender 23-run lead.
India’s second innings began with intent as Yashasvi Jaiswal blazed an unbeaten 51 off 49 balls, surviving two dropped chances on 20 and 40. His aggressive start put England on the back foot, especially in the absence of Chris Woakes, who was ruled out of the match with a suspected dislocated shoulder.
Sai Sudharsan, however, was trapped LBW by Atkinson just before stumps, but the momentum remained with India. Nightwatcher Akash Deep added to England’s frustration by driving his first ball for four before poor light ended play.
With three days remaining and England short on bowling options, India will look to build a commanding lead on Saturday. The hosts, once dominant earlier in the day, now face an uphill battle to stay alive in the series.
