The much-anticipated fifth and final Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, held at London’s Kennington Oval, witnessed an exciting second day of cricket. England took a crucial 23-run lead after their first innings, finishing at 247 runs in 51.2 overs, putting pressure on the Indian team who were all out for 224 runs in their first innings.
England’s Strong First Innings Backed by Crowley’s Knock
England’s innings was anchored by an aggressive and dynamic performance from Zak Crowley, who scored a quick 64 runs including 14 boundaries. Ben Duckett supported with a lively 43 off 38 balls, featuring 5 fours and 2 sixes. Other notable contributions came from captain Ollie Pope (22), Joe Root (29), and Harry Brook (53), helping England build a solid total. The opening partnership yielded 92 runs, giving England healthy momentum before key wickets fell.
Indian Bowling Finds Rhythm with Siraj and Prasidh Krishna
India’s bowling attack fought back with determination. Mohammad Siraj was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 86 runs in 16.2 overs and consistently picking wickets in the middle overs to disrupt England’s flow. Prasidh Krishna also impressed by taking 4 wickets for 62 runs in 16 overs, targeting England’s middle and lower order hitters effectively. Axar Patel chipped in with a wicket, while Ravindra Jadeja went wicketless.
India’s Fragile First Innings and Karun Nair’s Resilience
India’s batting lineup faltered early on. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 2, caught behind off a Gus Atkinson delivery. Key batsmen like Rohit Sharma (14), Shubman Gill (21), and Sai Sudarshan (38) struggled to build partnerships. Captain Shubman Gill’s run-out was a big setback. Karun Nair stood firm with a well-made 57 runs off 109 balls, peppered with 8 fours, as India tried to stabilize the innings. However, the rest of the lineup failed to convert starts into big scores.
England’s Bowling Masterclass
Gus Atkinson wreaked havoc with his disciplined bowling, returning figures of 5 wickets for just 33 runs in 21.4 overs, including 8 maidens. Josh Tong took 3 wickets, while Chris Woakes claimed 1. Their precise line and length applied immense pressure, which kept the Indian batsmen on the back foot throughout.
Match Situation and Look Ahead
India finished their first innings on 224 runs, including 38 extras (16 wides, 4 no balls, 12 byes, and 6 leg byes). With England leading by 23 runs, the contest is finely poised heading into Day 3. India will look to break through England’s batting lineup early to minimize the deficit, while England aims to extend their advantage and put India under further pressure.
