Rohan Chowdhury, The Oval
The intent of the English batters was clear — attack. After bundling India out for 224, slightly below the 240-run target Gus Atkinson had mentioned, openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett stayed true to their Bazball approach, racing to a 50-run partnership in just seven overs. England reached 109/1 in 16 overs by lunch on Day 2 of the fifth Test at the Kia Oval. Their innings featured 19 boundaries and two sixes.
The morning sun, a welcome contrast to the previous day’s rain, offered favourable conditions for batting. However, the Indian batters at the start of day’s play couldn’t do much.
Karun Nair, who had made a responsible half-century on Day 1, couldn’t add much to his overnight tally. A full-length delivery from Josh Tongue, from just outside off, cut back sharply and struck him on the pad. The umpire raised his finger for LBW, and a DRS review didn’t save him.
Soon after, Washington Sundar mistimed a pull off a short delivery from Atkinson and was caught at deep square-leg by Jamie Overton. Akash Deep, Mohammad Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna followed with ducks, ending India’s innings abruptly.
The English batters began fearlessly, going after the ball from the outset. None of the Indian bowlers seemed in rhythm, failing to exploit the movement that the English bowlers had made use of. Siraj bowled a four-over spell, with Akash Deep (7) and Krishna (5) — all proving expensive.
Akash Deep finally broke through for India, albeit a bit late. Duckett, on 43, attempted a reverse scoop — a shot that had earlier gone for six — but this time he edged it to Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps. Akash Deep’s celebration raised eyebrows as he walked up to Duckett, placing a hand on his shoulder and saying something as Duckett departed.
Zak Crawley brought up a fluent fifty and remains unbeaten on 52 off 43 balls. Skipper Ollie Pope is at the crease with him. At lunch, England trail by only 115, with two more sessions to go and 8 wickets, in hand — unfortunately no Chris Woakes.
The Oval stands are packed, with many spectators wearing white headbands to mark ‘A Day for Thorpey’ — a tribute to former England international Graham Thorpe on his 56th birthday. The day is observed as a mental health awareness campaign.
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