LONDON (BN24) — India clawed back control in the final Test against England on Friday, producing a spirited bowling performance to leave the match finely poised after a chaotic and captivating Day Two at The Oval.
After England’s openers raced to a blistering start in the morning session, threatening to seize full control of the decider, India’s bowlers fought back with relentless intensity to bowl the hosts out for 247—just 23 runs ahead. India then responded with purpose in the final hour and a half, reaching 75-2 at stumps, a lead of 52 runs, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten on a fluent 51.
Earlier, England’s bowlers made short work of India’s fragile lower order. Resuming at 204-6, the visitors were dismissed for 224 within 30 minutes of play. Gus Atkinson led the charge with a career-best 5-33, dismantling the tail in clinical fashion in his first Test appearance since May. Karun Nair fell for 57 and Washington Sundar added 26, but the innings collapsed swiftly from there as Atkinson removed Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for ducks.
England’s reply began in trademark aggressive style, surging to 92 without loss in just 12 overs. Ben Duckett, in particular, thrilled the crowd with an audacious reverse hook for six off Akash Deep, part of the fastest 50-run opening stand ever recorded by an England pair in Test cricket. Duckett was eventually dismissed for 43, caught behind attempting another reverse stroke.
At lunch, England were 109-1 and seemingly in control, but India once again demonstrated their resilience. Zac Crawley’s composed 64 ended tamely, and Ollie Pope followed soon after for 22. Mohammed Siraj then trapped Joe Root lbw for 29, before removing Harry Brook late in the day for 53 in a rain-affected final session. With Chris Woakes unavailable due to injury, England were all out for 247, Krishna finishing with 4-62 and Siraj claiming four wickets as well.
India’s second innings began positively despite the overcast skies. Jaiswal, reprieved on 40 after a drop in the deep, counter-attacked with authority, guiding India past England’s total. KL Rahul fell for seven to Josh Tongue, and Sai Sudharsan was trapped lbw by Atkinson for 11, but the visitors closed in a strong position at 75-2, with Deep on four at the other end.
With sunny weather forecast and a full house expected for Day Three, the dramatic momentum swings that have defined the series show no signs of easing. The Test—and the summer-long contest—remains delicately poised.
