London, August 1, 2025 – India staged a spirited comeback on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, led by an inspired bowling display from Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. The English side, who looked dominant early on, were reeling at 215 for 7 by Tea, with Siraj and Krishna sharing six wickets equally—three apiece.
Earlier in the day, India were dismissed for 224 in their first innings, with Karun Nair scoring a resilient 57. England’s Gus Atkinson shone with the ball, taking five wickets, while Josh Tongue supported effectively with three dismissals.
Despite England’s strong opening session, the momentum shifted after lunch. Prasidh Krishna provided the vital breakthrough by dismissing Zak Crawley, halting England’s run flow. Fired up, Krishna continued his aggressive spell, even getting into a tense exchange with Joe Root, who uncharacteristically responded with a show of frustration.
Siraj, too, was relentless, delivering a punishing 8-over spell that earned him three key wickets. His precision and pace left England’s middle-order scrambling. Harry Brook, known for his aggressive style, was forced to temper his approach due to Siraj’s disciplined line and length.
Session Summary: 26.5 overs, 106 runs, 6 wickets.
It was a dramatic turnaround by India, driven by Siraj and Krishna’s pace partnership. Just when it seemed England would run away with the game, Siraj and Krishna’s determination turned the tide. Their effort epitomized India’s resilience throughout the series, with each blow answered by a counterattack—making this a truly thrilling Test battle at The Oval.