Yashasvi Jaiswal’s rapid half-century powered India to a 52-run lead over England on a dramatic Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval, despite a day marred by wickets and weather interruptions.
Jaiswal Shines Amidst Lifelines
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was the star for India, fighting his way to an unbeaten 51 runs. He got a couple of lucky breaks, first dropped by Harry Brook when he was on 20, and then again by Liam Dawson at deep fine leg at 40.
Jaiswal capitalized on these chances, reaching his half-century in just 44 balls. By the end of play, he had smashed seven boundaries and two sixes, providing crucial momentum for India.
Early Setbacks for India
India’s second innings saw them lose two early wickets. KL Rahul departed for just 7 runs, and Sai Sudharsan, after being dropped once on 7, couldn’t make it count and was dismissed for 11. Despite these early losses, Jaiswal’s resilience ensured India maintained control.
A Day of Wickets and Weather
Day 2 was packed with action, witnessing a remarkable 15 wickets fall. Short rain delays interrupted play, and the day ended abruptly due to fading light. Interestingly, umpires reportedly offered England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope the option to bowl only spinners for the final 15 minutes, an offer he declined, perhaps wary of Jaiswal’s aggressive play against spin.
England’s First Innings Collapse
Earlier in the day, England’s first innings concluded at 247, giving them a slim 23-run lead. While their top five batsmen got starts, it was the partnership between Zak Crawley (64) and Ben Duckett (92 off 77 deliveries) that provided the bulk of their runs and entertained the crowd.
Indian Pacers Dominate
India’s fast bowlers were in top form. Captain Shubman Gill relied heavily on his pacers, with Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna bowling most of the overs. Ravindra Jadeja bowled only two overs.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were the wreakers of havoc, both picking up four wickets each. Krishna recorded his best Test figures for India with 4/62, including the crucial wicket of England’s top scorer, Zak Crawley.
Siraj’s four wickets were game-changers, as he dismissed key batsmen like Ollie Pope (22), Joe Root (29), Harry Brook (53), and Jacob Bethell (6). Siraj’s performance also made him the leading wicket-taker of the series with 18 scalps.
Series Decider Heats Up
This fifth and final Test is crucial, as England currently holds a 2-1 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India’s strong finish to Day 2, largely thanks to Jaiswal’s heroics and the pacers’ earlier performance, sets the stage for a thrilling continuation.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 51, guiding India to a 52-run lead.
- Jaiswal was dropped twice by England fielders before reaching his fifty.
- Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna each took four wickets.
- Day 2 saw 15 wickets fall and play ending early due to bad light.
With a slender lead in hand, India will be looking to build a significant advantage on Day 3 and press for a series-leveling victory.
