The final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval is shaping up to be a proper nail-biter. After a rollercoaster Day 2, India have edged ahead with a 52-run lead, finishing on 75/2 in their second innings. With the series still alive, everything points to a tense and possibly dramatic finish.
Here’s how Day 2 unfolded and what to watch out for on Day 3 — brought to you by starexch, where cricket fans stay in the know.
What Went Down on Day 2
India Fold Early in the Morning
The day began with England’s bowlers wasting no time. Gus Atkinson tore through India’s lower order, claiming 5/33 and cleaning them up for just 224. The ball was doing a bit under the overcast sky, and India’s tail didn’t hang around long. Without Jasprit Bumrah to hold things together at the back end, the innings wrapped up quicker than they’d have liked.
England Bat Fast, Then Fall Apart
Zak Crawley (64 off 38) and Ben Duckett (43) gave England a flying start. They raced past 100 in no time, playing with that trademark Bazball aggression. But after lunch, India struck back hard. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled with serious intent, sharing eight wickets between them. England went from cruising at 129/1 to all out for 247. A classic Test cricket swing.
India’s Second Innings: Jaiswal Leads the Charge
Yashasvi Jaiswal brought the fight back. He looked confident and in control, finishing unbeaten on 51 from just 49 balls. KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan didn’t last long, but Jaiswal played his shots and made England pay for their mistakes — including a dropped catch. At 75/2, India are in front, but the job’s far from done.For supporters following the game, Starexchange App offers an interactive means of remaining involved in the match's turn of events.
Top Players on Day 2
Gus Atkinson – Five wickets, sharp lines, relentless pressure. A standout display.
Mohammed Siraj – Stepped up big time in Bumrah’s absence. Four wickets and plenty of fire.
Prasidh Krishna – Controlled and effective. Helped turn the match after lunch.
Yashasvi Jaiswal – Played positively and gave India the momentum they needed.
Zak Crawley – Aggressive as ever, but couldn’t carry on after a blazing start.
What’s Coming on Day 3
The pitch still has something in it for the seamers early on, but it gets better for batting once the sun’s out. Rain could show up later in the day, so the morning session will be crucial.
India’s Plan
Jaiswal will look to continue his strong start, and Shubman Gill will walk in next. He’s been in top form recently, and a solid partnership could take India’s lead past 150. If the middle order chips in — guys like Jadeja and Washington Sundar — they could set England a tricky target of 250 or more. On a pitch like this, that could be gold.
Bowling-wise, India will again rely on Siraj and Krishna. If the cracks open up, Jadeja or Kuldeep could play a big role later on.
England’s Strategy
Ollie Pope, leading in place of Stokes, will want early wickets. Atkinson and Josh Tongue will be key — they’ll aim to knock over Jaiswal and Gill before the lead grows too much. If they can keep India’s second-innings score under control, England’s strong batting unit might just fancy chasing it down.
Battles That Could Swing It
Jaiswal vs Atkinson – Can the young opener handle another fiery spell?
Gill vs Bashir – A great test of spin against someone who loves playing it.
Siraj vs Root – If Root falls early, England could be in trouble again.
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Wrapping Up
Day 2 had it all: fast wickets, quick runs, and a shift in momentum. India ended the day slightly on top, but England aren’t out of this by any means. With the series hanging in the balance, expect Day 3 to be fierce, focused, and full of action.
Stay tuned with starexch — the place to follow every twist in this Test match thriller.
