[WATCH] Ben Duckett reverse sweeps Akash Deep for maximum on Day 2 of ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

It took England just short of half an hour to pick the last four wickets of the Indian side for 20 overs on the second day of the fifth Test between England and India at Kennington Oval in South London. The pitch and conditions looked the hardest to bat with the ball nipping around as Gus Atkinson picked up a five-wicket haul. 

But both England openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, smashed the Indian bowlers on the floor in the first innings in nearly 40 minutes. It was the fourth over when a delivery from Akash Deep hit the former on the box, which made him uncomfortable. But that was when he switched his mindset and took the ultimate Bazball mode.

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Duckett reverse scooped the Bengal pacer over the wicket-keeper’s head for a huge six as the bowler had nothing to do apart from getting shocked. India used a review early in that over, which the replays didn’t put in their way. Crawley, on the other hand, kept nailing the big shots.

Watch: Ben Duckett reverse sweeps Akash Deep for maximum on Day 2 of ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

Duckett shuffled across to smash Mohammed Siraj for another six with a ramp shot. They made 936 runs in 18 innings as an opening pair against India, which is the most by an England opening stand against these opponents, surpassing 932 runs in 20 innings between Sir Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss. They put their eighth fifty-run stand in Tests as the opening pair against India, which is the most around the world.

Akash Deep finally won the battle against the southpaw, who looked to reverse scoop the bowler for another big shot over the keeper’s head. But he didn’t get the full elevation as the outside edge ended up in the hands of the keeper to send the batter back for 43 runs in 38 balls.

Deep put his arms on the shoulder, which was not needed given how the series has unfolded in the last few weeks. England had already smelt the 100-run mark by the time they lost the opening wicket with just 127 more runs to wipe out the deficit.