England vs India 5th Test, Day 2, Review: Hosts get their nose ahead; India find themselves behind the 8-ball

In the third session of the first day, England were rocked courtesy of some vicious bowling by the Indian speedsters especially Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma. The first two sessions of the fifth Test between England and India at Kennington Oval in London went to the Three Lions courtesy of some resolute half-centuries from the likes of Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali.

The Brits ended the day with the score at 198/7 in 90 overs. On the first day’s morning, India were expected to roll their opponents over by picking up the three remaining wickets. However, that wasn’t the case owing to some determined batting from England’s lower order. At the close of play in the second day, India still trail by 158 runs with four wickets remaining in the first innings.

Broad and Buttler frustrate India

Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid were the overnight batsmen and both looked solid right away. Bumrah gave India their first breakthrough of the day when he trapped Rashid in front. Broad is no mug with the bat and he manifested the same in the opening session. He had Buttler at the other end and hence, the left-hander had no reasons to panic whatsoever.

England eventually added 106 runs in 25 overs at more than four runs per over and the session well and truly belonged to the home team. In the meantime, Buttler accomplished yet another half-century in the series and Broad ended with 36 runs. Most importantly, the left-right duo was able to set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Indian camp.

India pull things back

The post-lunch session started on an impressive note for the visitors as Ravindra Jadeja accounted for the wicket of Broad to end the ominous-looking 98-run stand. Buttler added some useful runs with number eleven James Anderson at the other end. He scored 89 runs from 133 deliveries and got his team up to a competitive score of 332 runs in 122 overs.

India didn’t have an auspicious start as Broad pinned Shikhar Dhawan plumb in front to draw first blood for the hosts. Nevertheless, KL Rahul took the field with intent and smacked a few boundaries. Cheteshwar Pujara came in after Dhawan’s dismissal and occupied the crease. Both batters played out the remaining overs in the session as India ended with 53/1 in 18 overs.

England keep chipping in

India lost their way a wee bit in the day’s final session as they lost quite a few wickets. Rahul couldn’t carry on and perished to Sam Curran in the 23rd over. Thereafter, Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli played out 13 more overs, but Pujara’s vigil was cut short by James Anderson. A couple of overs later, the English fast-bowler got rid of Ajinkya Rahane for an eight-ball duck.

Hanuma Vihari survived a massive scare when he was yet to open his account. He was adjudged LBW after which he used the DRS to help himself. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes got the big fish in the form of Kohli, who scored 49 runs. The all-rounder nipped out Rishabh Pant, who made a tentative poke outside the off-stump only to find Cook’s hands in the slip cordon. Vihari and Jadeja played out the remaining 15 balls.

Brief Scores

England: 332 all out in 122 overs; (Jos Buttler 89, Alastair Cook 71; Ravindra Jadeja 4/79, Ishant Sharma 3/62)

India: 174/6 in 51 overs; (Virat Kohli 49, KL Rahul 53; James Anderson 2/20, Ben Stokes 2/44)

India trail by 158 runs

Close of play: Day 2

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