Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval will be remembered as the day the series turned into a battle of attrition. In a remarkable display of seam bowling and fluctuating fortunes, 15 wickets fell in a single day, the most in a session this series, leaving the match delicately balanced.
India began the morning at 204/6 but found themselves undone quickly as debutant Gus Atkinson produced a stunning burst of pace and precision. His figures of 5/33 on debut were a masterclass in exploiting conditions under the second new ball. Atkinson removed the overnight pair in quick succession, trapping Washington Sundar before cleaning up the tail. Karun Nair, who fought hard for his 57, was the lone bright spot in India’s innings, but his dismissal early in the session set the tone for a swift collapse. India were bowled out for 224, adding just 20 runs to their overnight total.
England’s response began in aggressive fashion. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett took on India’s seamers, racing to a 92-run stand at over five runs an over. Crawley’s 64 was a mix of controlled drives and assertive stroke play, while Duckett’s 43 featured inventive shots, including a daring reverse-hit. At 109/1, England looked ready to seize control.
However, momentum swung once again. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna combined to produce a ruthless spell that dismantled England’s middle order. Siraj’s ability to extract movement and Krishna’s bounce from a fuller length reduced England from a position of strength to 247 all out. Harry Brook’s counterattacking 53 provided some stability, but once he fell, India wrapped up the tail efficiently. With Chris Woakes unavailable to bat due to injury, England’s innings ended with just a 23-run lead.
India’s second innings began under grey skies and relentless English pressure. KL Rahul fell cheaply, edging to slip, while Sai Sudharsan’s stay was cut short by a sharp Atkinson delivery, leaving India at 23/2. At that point, the game seemed to tilt back towards England.
Enter Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young left-hander played with a maturity beyond his years, mixing solid defence with calculated aggression. He survived two early scares but capitalized on anything overpitched, driving with authority and punishing loose deliveries. His unbeaten 51 at stumps, brought up with a towering six over long-on, steadied India and pushed their lead to 52 runs at 75/2.
The day encapsulated the drama of Test cricket: a debutant seizing the spotlight, a batting collapse turning dominance into desperation, and a young opener holding his nerve under pressure. Atkinson’s five-wicket haul will be remembered as a breakthrough moment for England’s bowling attack, while Jaiswal’s innings could prove pivotal in shaping the remainder of the match.
With three days to go and a pitch offering movement for seamers and grip for spinners, the Test is finely poised. India’s slender lead is both a cushion and a challenge, and Day 3 promises to be a defining chapter in what has become a tense, seesawing series finale.