It took England just 34 deliveries on the second morning at The Oval to dismantle India’s lower order, claiming the final four wickets for a mere six runs and bowling the visitors out for 224 — the lowest first-innings total of the series so far. Gus Atkinson, stepping up in the absence of the injured Chris Woakes, who had been ruled out of the final Test, completed a five-wicket haul, his fourth in Test cricket, as India’s tail crumbled in seam-friendly conditions.
Resuming on 218 for 6, India harboured hopes of stretching their total past 250, but those ambitions were swiftly dashed. Karun Nair, who had fought hard for his fifty on a challenging opening day, was the first to fall, trapped lbw for 57 by Josh Tongue in the third over of the morning. Tongue got one to jag back sharply from over the wicket, and with that, the procession began.
Five balls later, Washington Sundar, who had looked composed overnight on 19, played a reckless shot. Attempting to take on a short ball, he picked out Jamie Overton at deep square leg. Atkinson and Tongue then mopped up the tail, with Atkinson returning figures of 5 for 33 on his recall to the side.
IND vs ENG, 5th Test, Day 2 Live Updates
The collapse on the second morning only compounded the damage done earlier. India’s innings featured several starts that failed to materialise. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s lean run continued with a loose drive on 2, while KL Rahul was bowled by Chris Woakes for 14 after playing across the line. Shubman Gill and debutant Sai Sudharsan added some stability, but Gill was run out for 21 after a misjudged single – a moment that handed the initiative to England.
Sudharsan batted with patience for his 38 before falling to a sharp delivery from Tongue. The seamer then accounted for Ravindra Jadeja for 9, exposing a long tail. Karun Nair, making a rare Test appearance, stood out with a determined half-century under overcast skies. Alongside Sundar, he ensured India reached stumps on Day 1 without further losses.
But Day 2 was all England. The hosts bowled with discipline and purpose, exploiting the movement on offer. Atkinson led the charge with accuracy and control, while Tongue’s dismissal of Nair proved decisive. England, however, were not without blemishes – conceding 38 extras, including 16 byes and 14 wides, a number that could become significant in a tighter contest.
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