India’s Pacers Stage a Comeback

On the second day of the fifth and final Test, India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, orchestrated a remarkable comeback against England. Despite a challenging start where England’s openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley dominated the Indian attack, the visitors managed to bowl out England for 247. This effort gave India a slender 23-run lead after the first innings. Siraj and Prasidh were instrumental in this turnaround, each claiming four wickets to dismantle England’s batting lineup.

Jaiswal’s Aggressive Start in India’s Second Innings

In response, India began their second innings with a cautious approach but soon shifted gears thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive batting. Jaiswal, who remained unbeaten on 51 off 49 balls at stumps, played with intent despite being dropped twice. His innings included three boundaries in Gus Atkinson’s opening over and a ramp shot off Jamie Overton that brought up his third fifty of the series. However, India lost K L Rahul early to a rare loose shot, leaving them at 75 for two at the close of play.

England’s Middle-Order Collapse

Earlier in the day, England’s middle order struggled against India’s pace attack. Harry Brook provided some resistance with a quickfire 53, highlighted by a six off Siraj. However, Siraj’s fiery spell saw him dismiss key batsmen like Joe Root and Ollie Pope, while Prasidh Krishna removed Zak Crawley with a well-directed short ball. The pitch offered significant assistance to seamers, which both Indian pacers exploited effectively.

Dramatic Opening Session

The day began with England capitalizing on favorable conditions as Duckett and Crawley attacked India’s bowlers on a green surface. Their aggressive approach saw England reach 109 for one by lunch. However, Akash Deep managed to break the partnership by dismissing Duckett just before the interval. Despite early struggles, India’s bowlers adjusted their lengths post-lunch to regain control.

Implications for the Test Match

With India leading by 52 runs at stumps and Jaiswal set at the crease, the match remains finely poised. The performance of India’s pacers has kept them in contention despite England’s initial dominance. The outcome of this Test could hinge on how well India’s batsmen capitalize on their current position and how effectively their bowlers can exploit the conditions in subsequent sessions.