England vs India 2018, 5th Test, Day Two: Hosts Hold Edge as India Lose Six Wickets for 174 Runs

Hosts England finished day two of the 5^th  Test against  India on a commanding position after bagging six wickets in India’s first innings at the Kennington Oval in London.

The English lower order was quite brilliant and took the score to 332, from a precarious situation of 181 for seven.

England began the day’s play on 198 for seven. India would have hoped to finish hosts innings pretty early. However Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad stitched together a brilliant 98-runs partnership which defied the Indian bowlers for a long period.

Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Adil Rashid with a brilliant delivery. From there on it was a commendable partnership between Broad and Buttler which got England back on track.

However, Buttler rode his luck to a knock of 89 before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner finished as the most successful Indian bowler with figures of four for 79.

The visiting team desperately wanted a good opening start. However, it wasn’t to be as Shikhar Dhawan by Stuart Broad for just three runs. Broad trapped southpaw adjacent to the stumps. The umpire ruled it in favour of the home team.

On the other side, KL Rahul looked in great touch during his knock of 36 and struck some wonderful shots in the process.

India in trouble after losing six wickets 

Cheteshwar Pujara also looked in good touch and played the waiting game to perfection. Rahul yet again was dismissed after getting off to a start.

Sam Curran bowled a peach of delivery as the opening batsman was beaten outside the off stump. The ball struck the timbers as India was reduced to 70 for two.

However, captain Virat Kohli came out in the middle to share a brief partnership with Pujara. The latter managed to score 37 as James Anderson is the man who got his prized scalp.

Ajinkya Rahane also fell in quick succession as India were reduced to 103 for four. Debutant Hanuma Vihari survived a few close shaves and started gaining in confidence. In addition, he struck a six and a four of Broad’s over to get his innings going.

Ben Stokes also dismissed the Indian skipper as he fished at a delivery outside the off stump. Alastair Cook completed a good catch in the slip cordon. Also, Anderson removed Rishabh Pant early. But Vihari has looked in good touch and will be aiming to take the score close to 300 alongside Jadeja.

England vs India, 2018 – 5th Test, Day Two; Brief Scores:

England 332 all-out in 122 overs (Jos Buttler 89, Alastair Cook 71, Ravindra Jadeja 4/79)

India 174/6 in 51 overs (Virat Kohli 49, KL Rahul 37, Cheteshwar Pujara 37, James Anderson 2/20, Ben Stokes 2/44)