Day 2 of the fifth Test became a showcase of pace, pressure, and personality as Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna combined for eight wickets to drag India back into the contest. England had started the day with a flourish, racing to 109/1 in barely an hour as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett tore into the new ball. Their aggressive 92-run stand threatened to bury India under a pile of runs. That was when Siraj’s relentless energy and Prasidh’s control flipped the script.
Siraj struck first, removing Joe Root with a delivery that jagged back and clipped the top of off, setting off a chain reaction. His spell was hostile yet precise, attacking the stumps and forcing errors from England’s middle order. Finishing with 4/86, he was everywhere, urging the crowd, lifting his teammates, and driving India’s intensity. Prasidh Krishna matched him blow for blow, exploiting bounce and seam movement to dismantle the lower order with figures of 4/62. Between them, they ripped through England’s lineup, reducing a dominant position to 247 all out and limiting the first-innings deficit to just 23 runs.
Off the field, Siraj’s light-heartedness shone through the tension. Speaking after play, he revealed a conversation with Jasprit Bumrah: “I asked Bumrah, ‘who would I hug after a five-wicket haul?’” The joke reflected both his hunger and the camaraderie that fuels India’s attack in high-pressure moments.
Earlier in the day, India’s own innings had ended abruptly at 224 after adding only 20 runs to their overnight total. That collapse made the fightback even more significant. With momentum reclaimed, India’s openers faced the challenge of negotiating tricky evening conditions. KL Rahul fell early, edging to slip, and Sai Sudharsan followed soon after, leaving India wobbling at 23/2.
At that point, Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped in with composure. His unbeaten 51 at stumps steadied India and pushed the lead to 52 runs. Mixing caution with flair, Jaiswal’s knock was a counterpunch to England’s seamers, punctuated by a towering six to bring up his half-century.
The day’s narrative was about resilience: India, on the back foot after a poor batting display, found two young fast bowlers who refused to yield. Siraj’s heart-on-sleeve aggression and Prasidh’s clinical execution formed the backbone of a comeback that has set up the Test beautifully. With the pitch offering assistance and both sides trading momentum, the match is poised delicately.
Day 3 will test India’s middle order and England’s ability to regroup. But whatever the outcome, Siraj and Prasidh’s spell on Day 2 will stand as the turning point—a burst of pace and intent that changed the tone of the series finale.