India Takes Control in Fifth Test Against England at The Oval

Day Two Highlights of the Fifth Test

On August 2, during the fifth Test match at The Oval, India positioned themselves strongly thanks to impressive performances from Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who both claimed four wickets, alongside a dynamic half-century from Yashasvi Jaiswal.

By the end of the day's play, India stood at 75/2, with Jaiswal not out at 51 and night-watchman Akash Deep on 4. They held a lead of 52 runs after England's first innings total of 247, which followed India's 224. Siraj (4/86) and Krishna (4/62) played pivotal roles in restricting England's lead and causing a batting collapse.

The final session began with England at 215/7, where Harry Brook (33*) was joined by Gus Atkinson, a capable lower-order batsman. After surviving a challenging over from Siraj, Atkinson fell to Krishna, who secured his fourth wicket with a catch taken by Akash Deep.

Following a brief rain delay, Brook reached his 13th Test fifty off 57 balls, hitting five fours and a six. However, his innings ended shortly after as Siraj bowled him out for 53 runs. England was all out for 247, with Chris Woakes unable to bat, giving them a slender lead of 23 runs.

Siraj and Krishna were the standout bowlers for India, while Akash Deep also contributed with a wicket.

In their second innings, openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a solid foundation. Jaiswal quickly made his intentions clear by hitting three boundaries off Atkinson in the third over, looking to redeem himself after a disappointing first innings.

Jaiswal continued to find the boundary against Atkinson and Josh Tongue, but KL Rahul was dismissed by Tongue in the 10th over, caught by Joe Root for just seven runs, leaving India at 46/1.

With a boundary from Sai Sudharsan, India crossed the 50-run mark in 11.3 overs. Throughout the day, Jaiswal was dropped by Liam Dawson, and Sudharsan survived an lbw appeal. Jaiswal reached his half-century, marking his third of the series, off just 44 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.

However, Atkinson claimed Sudharsan's wicket (11 runs off 29 balls) as bad light ended the day's play, with India leading by 52 runs.

England began the second session at 109/1, with Zak Crawley (52*) and Ollie Pope (12*) at the crease. Prasidh struck first, dismissing Crawley for 64 runs, caught by Ravindra Jadeja, leaving England at 129/2.

From that point, England's batting faltered. Prasidh and Siraj bowled effectively, taking out Ollie Pope (22), Joe Root (29), Jacob Bethell (6), Jamie Smith (8), and Jamie Overton (0), leaving England in a precarious position at 215/7 by the end of the session.

India resumed day two at 204/6, with Karun Nair (52*) and Washington Sundar (19*) unbeaten. The pair started positively, but Nair was dismissed for 57 runs by Tongue, who also took Sundar's wicket for 26 runs. India was eventually bowled out for 224 runs in 69.4 overs.

Atkinson (5/33) and Tongue (3/57) were instrumental in dismantling India's batting order.

In their first innings, England had a strong start, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett showcasing aggressive batting. Crawley quickly found boundaries against Siraj, while Duckett scored freely against Akash Deep, hitting three fours in one over.

England reached their fifty in just 7 overs, and Crawley achieved his 19th Test fifty off 42 balls, with 12 boundaries. The partnership between Crawley and Ollie Pope ensured England lost no wickets until the session concluded.

Brief Scores: England: 247 (Zak Crawley 64, Harry Brook 53, Prasidh Krishna 4/62) vs India: 224 and 75/2 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51*, Sai Sudharsan 11, Gus Atkinson 1/26).