Tireless, Lion-hearted, Indefatigable, etc., were the several adjective-laced praises showered on Mohd Siraj as he led an astonishing Indian fightback at the Oval under a cloudy, bleak Friday afternoon.
Siraj produced three incredible deliveries to knock over England’s middle order and take the wind out of the sails of England’s first innings. Two massive in-dippers, swinging in and darting off the seam after pitching, were a delight to watch. First, Ollie Pope and then the most important Joe Root succumbed LBW to the almost unplayable deliveries. Pope and Root were beginning to settle down, but Siraj’s brave persistence got India the breakthrough.
Jacob Bethell, the young 21-year-old old was completely foxed by another brilliant delivery from Siraj. An inswinging yorker struck Bethell right in front. The movement in the air completely deceiving the batsman. The middle order had been snuffed out by Siraj, who then castled Harry Brook to return with figures of 4/86 and in doing so, became the highest wicket-taker in the series with 18 wickets, on either side.
Prasidh Krishna produced his best performance of the series with a 4-wicket haul, while Akash Deep got the wicket of Ben Duckett. Chris Woakes with a dislocated left shoulder, did not bat and will not bowl either, reducing the England squad to 10 men effectively.
Earlier in the day, an imperious Zak Crawley and a belligerent Ben Duckett took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners in a sensational display of attacking stroke play. But Akash Deep got the better of Duckett to break the 92-run opening stand. The English were running away with the contest, but when Zak Crawley departed playing a loose pull, the floodgates opened as Siraj got into the act.
India reached 75/2 at stumps, losing KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan in the process, and are ahead by 52 runs. Jaiswal, dropped twice, reached a lucky half-century. Akash Deep was sent in as the night watchman and survived the couple of balls he was required to face.
It has been a tantalising test match so far, moving at a ferocious pace. A pinch of spice too, was added as Root and Prasidh Krishna, Duckett, and Akash Deep and Sai Sudharsan and Duckett were involved in some verbal banter.
The game is poised on a nervy equilibrium, and Day 3 may just be the deciding day.
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