During the broadcast of The Hundred, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik shared a humorous anecdote about India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. Karthik shared that UK fans jokingly complained to broadcasters about Gambhir’s serious demeanor, noting he didn’t smile throughout the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between India and England.

The exchange added a light-hearted moment to the coverage, highlighting the amusing side of international cricket. While players and coaches are often seen in intense focus on the field, fan observations like these bring a touch of humor to the otherwise competitive environment.

Karthik’s revelation also reflects the passion and attention of cricket fans, who notice even the smallest details. Despite the complaints, Gambhir’s serious demeanor did not affect India’s performance, and the team managed to deliver memorable cricket moments during the series, proving that focus sometimes speaks louder than expressions.

See Also: 'Hope they have communicated’- Former CSK star raises concern over Shreyas Iyer’s Asia Cup 2025 snub

Dinesh Karthik Shared Humorous Anecdote About Gautam Gambhir:

Following Trent Rockets’ seven-wicket win over Manchester Originals at Trent Bridge, Karthik humorously discussed the match with coach Andy Flower. He made a light-hearted remark during the conversation, adding a touch of fun to the post-match discussion, entertaining fans and highlighting the lighter side of cricket beyond the intensity of the game.

He said, “ All of the UK has complained and tweeted about it, written to SKY Sports... Three people over the summer, they haven't found a way to get them to smile... One is Gautam Gambhir, two is Nasser Hussain in the commentary box and the third person is you. Why aren't people able to see you smiling when you wear the coach's hat in that dugout?”

'Three people over the summer, they haven't found a way to get them to smile... Gautam Gambhir, Nasser Hussain and you' 🤣

Never change, DK! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ORyn8FiNxN

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 19, 2025

Andy Flower, former England head coach and current Trent Rockets mentor in The Hundred, responded to Karthik’s joke with a laugh, enjoying the playful moment and bringing a relaxed, humorous touch to the post-match interaction between players and coaching staff. He said, “ DK, people misunderstand me completely, you know that for sure.” Karthik replied as ex-England pacer Cork burst into laughter. He replied, “ I surely do.”

Karthik and Flower, teammates on Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 support staff, have developed a strong and friendly connection. Their playful exchange highlighted this camaraderie, offering fans insight into their personalities. Former England captain Nasser Hussain also joined the list of ‘serious faces,’ rounding out the trio that amused fans during the English summer.

Gautam Gambhir Balances Intensity with Playful Interactions Off-Field:

Gautam Gambhir, known for his on-field intensity, maintained a stern look during the tense Test series against England. This stern demeanor caught the attention of UK fans, who noticed his unwavering focus during every moment of play. While he appeared stoic on camera, those familiar with the Indian team know that Gambhir has a more playful side off the field.

Behind closed doors, the former opener often engages in light-hearted interactions and friendly banter with players and support staff. However, the intensity and stakes of the India-England series left little opportunity for such moments to be visible publicly. The high-pressure environment required Gambhir to maintain his strict and concentrated approach, reinforcing his reputation as a serious and focused leader during crucial matches.

Gautam Gambhir silenced his critics by leading a young and relatively inexperienced Indian side to an impressive 2-2 draw in the five-match Test series against England.

Before the tour, many doubted India’s chances, especially with England boasting a strong squad and the advantage of familiar home conditions. Expectations were low, but the team showed remarkable grit and determination throughout the series.

Shubman Gill and his teammates displayed fearless cricket, matching England’s intensity at every stage. The series reached its peak in the final Test at The Oval, where India won by just six runs, leveling the series and sending a powerful message to their opponents.

See Also: ‘I did a bit of mistake to restart’- Rashid Khan Opens Up About Returning to Cricket After Back Surgery

Mathew Hyden Talked About Gautam Gambhir’s Behaviour:

Before the fifth Test, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with Oval curator Lee Fortis during a practice session. The conflict started when Fortis asked the Indian coaches to keep 2.5 metres away from the main pitch square, despite them wearing appropriate footwear like joggers or rubber-spiked shoes.

This directive did not sit well with the Indian camp, leading to visible frustration. Gambhir, unable to hold back his emotions, confronted the curator and voiced his displeasure over the matter. Gambhir said, “ You don't tell any of us what we need to do... you have no right to tell us. You are just a groundsman, nothing beyond.”

Experienced Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden shared his own experiences dealing with pitch curators and supported Gautam Gambhir’s perspective. Hayden noted that while Gambhir’s frustration was understandable, he could have managed the situation more calmly by using more thoughtful language during the disagreement.

Hayden said, “ I used to sit in the middle and meditate. And, often there would not be a person that would not come up to me and tell me to move. They (curators) can get pretty protective around the surface. This is a typical case in England. It is a bit of a flex, here we are, final Test match, this is my venue, and they are going to try and make it difficult on Gautam Gambhir. But I think he's got every right to tone it down. He could have used better language. But the reality is, his team is trying to train ahead of the most important Test match.”

On the same day, England’s star batter Joe Root and stand-in captain Ollie Pope were seen shadow batting on the match pitch.

Former Australian all-rounder Greg Blewett, discussing the incident, called it ridiculous. He agreed with Matthew Hayden that while Gambhir’s frustration was understandable, he could have handled the situation with more restraint.

He said, “ I agree. Even now, even as a commentator, you get near the pitch and everyone is saying you can't get anywhere near it and you're like I haven't got spikes on. It is quite ridiculous. I get the frustration. But I agree that the language that he used wasn't great. If he reflects, he could have probably handled it a little better.”

India clinched a dramatic win by just six runs in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval on Monday, August 4. The match went down to the wire with England needing only seven runs and one wicket in hand.

Gus Atkinson went for an aggressive shot on a full delivery from Mohammed Siraj but missed, resulting in his off stump being rattled and handing India a dramatic victory. With this, the five-match Test series ended in a 2-2 draw.

England had claimed victories at Headingley and Lord’s, while India bounced back strongly to win at Edgbaston and The Oval. The fourth Test, held at Old Trafford in Manchester, ended in a stalemate, setting up a tense and unforgettable series finale.

See Also: Watch: When Mohammed Siraj posted TV recording of commentators praising his dismissal of Rishabh Pant in IPL 2017

The Warriors for India in This Series:

India witnessed standout performances from multiple players throughout the series, with captain Shubman Gill setting the tone. He led the batting charts for India, amassing 754 runs and earning the Player of the Series title for his consistent brilliance.

Mohammed Siraj led the bowling charts with 23 wickets and earned the Player of the Match award for his impactful performance in the final Test at The Oval.

KL Rahul (532 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (516 runs) were also among the top five scorers, playing crucial roles with the bat. Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna both claimed 14 wickets each, making vital contributions with the ball across key moments in the series.

Players Who Can be Dropped in the Upcoming Test Series:

While several players delivered strong performances, a few couldn’t make much of an impact during the series. As India prepares for their upcoming home Test series against the West Indies in October, following the Asia Cup in September, some names might be left out. Here's a look at three players who could be dropped for the West Indies Tests.

• Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur, who was recalled for the England Test series, may find himself out of contention for the upcoming West Indies tour. Featuring in just two matches — at Leeds and Old Trafford — Thakur managed only two wickets across three innings, recording figures of 0-38, 2-51, and 0-55, which didn’t quite meet expectations.

Although he contributed a handy 45 runs with the bat, it might not be enough to secure his place. He may need to prove his form and fitness once again through consistent performances in domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy, to earn another shot at the national Test squad.

• Karun Nair

Karun Nair is expected to be left out of the upcoming home series against the West Indies. With promising middle-order players like Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan waiting to take advantage of home conditions, Nair may have to return to the Ranji Trophy and perform well to get another chance in the national team.

His future in the Indian Test team looks uncertain unless the selectors opt to give him more chances. In the recent England series, he managed 205 runs across eight innings, with his top score being 57 in the final Test.

Although Nair still holds a solid Test average of 41.35, it is mainly due to his unbeaten 303 against England in his debut series. With only one century and one fifty in 15 innings, his recent performances haven't been convincing. Adding to his woes, reports suggest he may have suffered a broken index finger, which could keep him out temporarily.

• Anshul Kamboj

Anshul Kamboj made his Test debut during the fourth match of the India-England series, stepping in for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was sidelined due to a knee injury. Initially, Arshdeep Singh was the preferred replacement, but he suffered an injury while training, giving Anshul his maiden opportunity.

However, Anshul's debut didn’t make a strong impact. He was dismissed for a duck and managed just one wicket while conceding 89 runs. With India set to play their next Test series at home, conditions may favour other all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who bring more experience. Anshul will need to sharpen his skills to regain a spot in the squad or the playing XI.

Mohammed Siraj's journey in the recently concluded high-voltage Anderson Tendulkar Trophy has been a tale of redemption. From the heartbreak at the Lord's, which saw him getting undone in one of the most unfortunate ways, to making India roar back to life in the Oval Test despite giving Harry Brook a huge let-off, his journey has surely inspired billions around the world. In the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj bowled his heart out, bowling a marathon 186 overs and ended up excelling far better than the no. 1-ranked test bowler, by concluding the series with 23 wickets. 

Although India did not end up winning the series, Siraj certainly gave England a good run for their money. As Ryan ten Doeschate described him, Siraj's lion-hearted hostile spell of bowling kept England batters in check and provided India with timely dismissals. And let's not forget, Siraj gave Brook a huge lifeline when he was batting at the Kia Oval on 19. He knew that another heartbreak was certainly on the cards. But when he got the ball in hand, he seized the opportunity and teamed up with Prasidh Krishna to wind up the English tail in one of the most unbelievable fashion.

See also: 'I wish I didn't...'- Harry Brook reflects on his poor decision during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

Siraj's heroic show obliterates England in the Kia Oval Test

After miraculously drawing the Manchester Test from an unlikely situation, the team turned up once again, this time at the Kia Oval, with a vision to save the series. Bumrah opted to rest, citing workload management issues, which meant all the onus was back on Siraj once again. He had to spearhead the raw Indian pace attack with Prasidh and Akash Deep in the ranks. 

And so he did. After India were bundled out for 224, the Indian quicks took a bit of pounding at the hands of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley early doors. The English duo were dismissive in their approach and registered a rapid 92-run stand for the first wicket inside the 11th over. A comeback from that point seemed unthinkable, but Siraj proved everyone wrong. He teamed up with Krishna and helped India stage a spirited fightback. Although there was some reckless shot selection on England's part, Siraj kept his intensity up,  taking crucial scalps at key stages of the game to disrupt England's momentum. In the end, the pair finished with a combined tally of eight wickets with Siraj picking up the final wicket of Brook to prevent England from eking out a massive first innings lead. 

Moving on to England's second innings, Siraj found himself becoming the talk of the town, but for all the wrong reasons. He straight away made headlines when he put down Brook near the fine leg boundary while he was batting on only 19. A player of such calibre cashed in and made India pay as he, along with Root, scripted a monumental 195-run stand to virtually bat India out of the game.

But the end of the partnership gave England a momentary setback, and that is when Siraj found a window of opportunity to make the necessary amends.  When the chips were down, Siraj made a last-ditch effort to make up for his huge blunder, and his moment came on the fifth day of the final test. As soon as the second new ball was handed over to him, it was curtains for England.  He left no stone unturned and launched a scathing attack, along with Prasidh, to suffocate England's lower order. 

The 31-year-old got the ball rolling by having the in-form Jamie Smith fend at a widish delivery, which zipped through off the surface and brushed the outside edge of his bat. A couple of overs later, he cleaned up Josh Tongue with an absolute beauty, pegging his middle stump back.  Then came the big moment of redemption, which truly redefined his aura and legacy. Under immense pressure, Siraj nailed a perfect yorker against a threatening Gus Atkinson, who tried to heave across the line but was completely undone by the sheer brilliance of that delivery. His demise brought an end to the match, and England agonizingly fell short by six runs. 

Relive the glorious moment here:

🏏 siraj you beauty I can't believe still but you did you made this a greatest comback

Now I only believe in dsp siraj 🔥🔥every indian is proud of you #MohammedSiraj #INDvsENG#OvalTest #ENGvIND

pic.twitter.com/IOJDYMZpOO

— Hindustan (@InsideHindustan) August 4, 2025

Siraj has more overseas Test wickets than Bumrah 

Prior to the start of the series, it was believed that Bumrah would be the one who would play the role of an aggressor and do the bulk of the heavy lifting with the ball, while Siraj would play the second fiddle. But surprisingly, it panned out to be the exact opposite. Contrary to the beliefs that were held at the start, Bumrah could not come close to replicating the wonders of Siraj. Though he starred with a five-fer in the Headingly test, it was Siraj and his exploits that helped India win matches.

In fact, as astonishing as it may sound, India never secured a single victory in a game in which Bumrah was a part of. After walking away triumphantly with 23 wickets to his tally, Siraj has now bettered his overseas figures and has gone past Bumrah (102) to become the highest overseas wicket-taker (104) in the Test format. 

It was a series that had it all! Drama, controversies, close encounters, individual brilliance, you name it. Siraj has certainly given his fan base a lot to cheer about, and as he walks away as a hero, one thing stands out. The Indian pace attack will no longer be overly reliant on the services of Bumrah alone, and it is about time that the Indian management gives him the attention he needs to hone his skills further in the longest format.

India pulled off a stunning win at The Oval to level the five-match Test series 2-2, marking a dramatic end to a closely fought contest. The victory was not only crucial but also came in one of the most intense matches of the series.

England skipper Ben Stokes spoke about the heated moments between players during the series. He acknowledged that in high-stakes encounters like this, emotions tend to run high and confrontations are part of the game.

However, Stokes also pointed out that while tempers may flare in the heat of the moment, such things are often forgotten soon after. He emphasised that what truly matters is the quality of cricket played and the competitiveness shown by both sides.

See Also: 'We never give up' - Captain Shubman Gill's on new Indian team after levelling the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy 2-2

Ben Stokes About Both Team’s Intense Moments During the Series:

With all five matches in the series stretching to the final day, emotions naturally flared between the two sides. Players exchanged heated words, and tensions escalated, especially during the Lord's Test. The most intense moment came when Shubman Gill was seen shouting angrily at Zak Crawley, accusing him of deliberately wasting time as India aimed to squeeze in an extra over.

Speaking during the post-match presentation, Ben Stokes addressed the fiery exchanges, as reported by ESPN Cricinfo. He acknowledged that such moments are bound to happen in hard-fought series, noting that passion often brings out confrontations. However, he downplayed the incidents, saying they are usually forgotten once the match is over.

Stokes said, “The whole series has been awesome. There's always going to be moments where emotions are coming out. No one will be going to bed crying about what was said.”

Stokes expressed pride in his team despite the narrow six-run loss to India. He mentioned that the goal from the leadership group was simply for the players to give their best effort, which they did throughout the closely contested match.

He further said, “ Difficult when you can't participate. Another hard-fought game. Both teams have put so much effort, amazing to be a part of. Bitterly disappointed we couldn't go over the line but very proud of the team. There were many what-ifs in the last five days, makes the game great, but all Brendon and I asked was to give it everything. Tongue, Atkinson and Overton showed it.”

Stokes couldn’t recover from his right shoulder injury in time to play the final Test at The Oval. However,he made a key impact earlier in the series, particularly at Lord’s, where he delivered a long spell in the fourth innings to help England win by a narrow 22-run margin.

In the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, Team India played like a Phoenix. This Test series was a roller-coaster ride for India. More than England, this series was way tougher for India because of several injuries and, retirement of star players. This series will never forget the contribution of Rishabh Pant, the way he played with his fractured leg.

People questioned when Shubman Gill was named as Test Captain. He proved his significance as a captain. When everyone puts doubt on the team, they always prove everyone wrong and come out with their absolute best. The perfect example of their excellence is the fifth and final Test of the India-England series. After being in a comfortable position, the partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook rattled India’s hopes to level the series. But this new Team India knows how to come back when you are backed against the wall. 

When the 4th day ended, the match was in a thrilling position, where whoever plays their best will win the match. The next and final day of the match was an absolute thriller. The way Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled, they made the easy way of winning the match harder and tougher for England. With their magical spell, especially Siraj, the way he bowled not in this but in every match, India did the unthinkable and won the match. 

See Also: Why star commentators weren’t happy with ‘Match Officials’ decision in IND vs ENG 5th Test?

Shubman Gill Reflects on Team India’s Grit After Nail-Biting Victory:

After winning the final match of the series in the most dramatic way, India levelled the series 2-2 with England.  Throughout this series, Team India discovered a lot of new things about themselves. They fought like lions in every match, win some, lose some, but they remain stronger and even stronger. From Shubman Gill to Mohammed Siraj, every single player gave their absolute best when the team needed it the most. 

It was Shubman Gill’s first series as captain. There were a lot of things at stake. But he and the team proved their capabilities in this series. Skipper Gill was also named ‘Player of the Series’ for his batting excellence throughout the series. After receiving the medal, he talked about the whole journey from the First Test to the last. He also talked about how England gave the toughest fight.

He started with, “ Definitely both the teams played brilliantly throughout the series. Both the teams came up with their A-game, happy to get on the right side today. Both teams coming into Day 5 not knowing who would win shows how passionate both teams were and how hard everyone has played.”

He also praised the brilliant bowling effort of Siraj and Prasidh. He said, “ When you have bowlers like Siraj and Prasidh, captaincy seems easy. They were making the ball talk. Yes, there was a bit of pressure on us but they were really bowling well. We were confident. We wanted them to feel the pressure throughout the 37 runs they scored.”

Without Bumrah in the Team for the final Test, Mohammed Siraj has been a strong pillar for Team India. The way he bowled with determination and belief, he made the impossible victory possible for the team. Talking about his bowling excellence, Shubman said, “He is a captain’s dream, every ball, every spell he bowled he came all out and gave it everything for the team.”

Lastly, he talked about his batting performance. He talked about what he learned from the series and which areas he has improved more. He concluded, “ Feels very rewarding, there were certain things I wanted to work on as a batter and it was a goal to end as the best batter of this series, glad to get that goal. It is always a combination of technique and mentality, when you are feeling good mentally then the technique naturally flows. (What he’s learnt through the series) That we never give up."

The fifth and final Test between India and England is shaping up to be a nail-biting finish. Starting Day 4, India looked in control, with England still needing 324 runs to win and only one wicket down.

However, England staged a strong fightback through key partnerships that kept the chase alive. The hosts steadily chipped away at the target, frustrating the Indian bowlers with a composed batting display.

As the day neared its end, England were just 35 runs away from victory with three wickets remaining. But play was halted early due to poor light and rain, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance. The star commentators weren’t happy with this pause at the end.

See Also: Weather forecast for Day 05 of ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

Commentators Take Dig at ‘Match Officials’ Decision:

Rain paused the final session of the final Test, leading the umpires to send the players back to the pavilion. With conditions not improving, stumps were declared early, pushing the match into a decisive fifth and final day.

Experienced commentators Nasser Hussain and Dinesh Karthik questioned the umpires' decision to call stumps before time. They felt the game, which was building up to a thrilling finish, should have continued and reached its conclusion in front of a full crowd at the stadium.

On Sky Sports, Nasser Hussain said, “ Most importantly for viewers and fans who paid good money, remember Monday is a workday, and this sort of series deserves a finale in front of a big crowd at an iconic cricket ground, the Oval. That would have been some finale on Sunday, you may have just knocked off 35, or you may have seen Chris Woakes walk downstairs in a sling. I'm just wondering if they could have done anything, they had like 42-43 minutes to play with and within the laws and the playing regulations.”

He further said, “ If the groundsman had said no, we can't get the covers off in that time, the umpires would have to call stumps. I'm just wondering, you do have the option of the extra half hour, don't you? If you feel you can get result at 7.30, if there was 10 to win, the umpires would have given the team the extra half hour, I was just wondering if you could give the extra half hour at 6:42 (11:12 PM IST) and say to the teams, it has to come from the teams.”

Agreeing with Nasser Hussain, Dinesh Karthik also expressed disappointment over the early end to the day’s play. He remarked that the match officials should have applied some “common sense” before making such a decision, especially with the match so finely poised.

Karthik said, “ Little bit of rain, and I agree the rules are the rules, but I kind of like what Nasser said, that half an hour extension that you get meant, even if it meant it needed to start at 6.45, it could well have been 11, 12 hours, it could have gone either way, the crowd would have gotten to see the result, and it's a nice feeling to know that both teams have gone so hard, you give them the option, they don't want to use it, fair enough, everybody's going to come back tomorrow for whatever it's worth, but today, I think a little bit more common sense would have been to ask, I'm not saying it should happen, to ask I think is the fair thing to do.”

India is currently engaged in the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. On Day 3 of the fifth Test, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his brilliant form with the bat.

Jaiswal reached his sixth Test hundred in just 125 deliveries, displaying great confidence and composure. His innings included 11 boundaries and a couple of sixes, setting the tone for India’s innings as they looked to build a strong lead over England.

This century was his second in the series and came at a crucial moment. Interestingly, Jaiswal began and ended the series with hundreds, having also reached triple figures in the first innings of the opening Test, highlighting his consistency and impact throughout the series.

See Also: Top 3 scores by India Nightwatcher in Test since 2000

End of Jaiswal’s Game-Changing Innings:

Yashasvi Jaiswal rode his luck late on Day 2 as he attacked the English bowling. He was given two reprieves—first on 20 when Harry Brook spilled a straightforward chance at second slip, and later on 40 when Liam Dawson dropped a relatively easy catch despite the ball arriving at a manageable speed.

Making the most of those chances, Jaiswal continued to dominate on Day 3. He stitched together a vital 107-run partnership with Akash Deep off 150 balls. The stand proved to be a major obstacle for England, wearing down their bowlers and adding crucial runs to India’s total.

In the 64th over, Jaiswal fell to a short ball from Tongue, caught by Jamie Overton at the boundary. It was a tempting delivery, and Jaiswal went for the upper cut, but he failed to control the placement. Overton, positioned square at third man, took a sharp forward dive to complete the catch.

#INDvsEND#INDvsENG #ENGvIND#YashasviJaiswal was playing brilliantly but unfortunately he got out on 118

Here's the video 👇pic.twitter.com/v8GU1GHC1v

— Khan (@Khanmohammed12) August 2, 2025

It seemed Jaiswal misjudged the fielder’s position, possibly thinking Overton was stationed at a more traditional third man spot. Instead of playing the shot finer or squarer, he guided it straight to deep backward point. Disappointed, Jaiswal removed his helmet, raised his bat in acknowledgment, and made his way back to the pavilion after a well-played innings.

Match Situation Right Now:

India holds a commanding 281-run lead in the second innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century and nightwatchman Akash Deep’s impressive fifty setting the tone. At the crease now are Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel, contributing 25 and 26 runs respectively. India is pushing to extend their advantage further, aiming to level the series 2-2 and close it out with a crucial victory.

Indian speedster Akash Deep and England top-order batter Ben Duckett engaged in a very animated exchange after the fall of the first wicket. Duckett, along with Zak Crawley, quickly raced out of the blocks to give England a blazing start in the early hours of day two. The duo put on a blistering 92-run stand in only 77 balls, with Duckett adding a rapid 43 off 38. He went hard against the likes of Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and did not even spare India's senior paceman, Mohammed Siraj.

Duckett's entertaining stay finally came to an end during the penultimate ball of the 13th over. In an effort to scoop Deep over the slip cordon, Duckett got himself into a tangle. He opened up his stance far too early and completely got wrong-footed. As a result, his body weight tilted more to the leg side, which effectively moved him away from the line of the ball. In the end, he could only manage to get a faint glove on it, giving Dhruv Jurel a regulation catch behind the stumps. 

See also: Twitter Reaction: India experience batting collapse at Oval

Watch the video:

Charge halted! 🔥#AkashDeep strikes as #BenDuckett falls trying to get cheeky, ending his aggressive knock! 💪🏻#ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST, DAY 2 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/TY23MOyDXC pic.twitter.com/Z8dFP8kS01

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 1, 2025

Following Duckett's demise, Deep let his emotions run loose. After being belted for a few runs, Deep was in the mood to share his departing thoughts with the dismissed batter. He went and put his right arm around his shoulder. A brief animated exchange ensued between the two, where the two were seen having a chat with Deep, having a cheeky smile on his face. Although the exchange appeared to be friendly for the most part, the players did make physical contact. Jeff Crowe, the designated match referee for this game, must have had a close look at this encounter. 

Meanwhile, the on-field umpire Ahsan Raza wasn't too far away from the action. He quickly jumped into the scene and had a quiet word with the Indian pacer, following the brief encounter. Duckett's whirlwind 38-ball innings saw him smash five fours and two sixes. The 30-year-old certainly had an appetite to punish the Indian bowlers further, but was removed just at the right time by Deep, thus giving India some respite before lunch. 

By lunch, on day two, England find themselves in a very commanding position. Just 16 overs into the innings, the hosts have wiped out a deficit of 109 runs at the expense of just one wicket. At the time of writing, England still trail by another 115 runs with Crawley looking very composed on 52 (43).

Gus Atkinson’s hostile pace of bowling left India gasping for breath. India turned up on day two and started off proceedings on a promising score of 204-6. But an unprecedented burst from Atkinson, followed by his partner in crime, Josh Tongue, saw India capitulate well inside the first hour of the day’s play. Atkinson emerged as the standout performer, finishing as the most successful bowler for England with exemplary figures of 5-33.

On a surface that offered swing and variable bounce at times, Atkinson proved way too good for the Indian lower-order batters. The 27-year-old got the ball rolling by dismissing Washington Sundar off a well-directed short bumper. Atkinson dug in short and invited Sundar to go over the top. Sundar couldn’t resist his temptation and tried to take on the short ball in a bid to accumulate some quick runs. But unfortunately for him, the ploy backfired as he couldn’t keep the ball down and handed a regulation catch to Overton at deep square leg. This was also his first scalp of the day, too.

Besides, he did not allow the tailenders to linger around either. His next two wickets came in quick succession. Atkinson made Siraj play down the wrong line and deceived him with an unplayable inswinger to peg his off-stump back. A couple of balls later, Prasidh Krishna followed suit as he chased an outswinging delivery, which subsequently resulted in a faint outside edge. He was assisted by Tongue, who also maintained pressure from the other end and kept the Indian at bay with formidable figures of 3-57.

See also: Why are England players wearing headbands on Day 2 of ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval?

WATCH: Atkinson puts on a show with a five-fer

Gus Atkinson AGAIN!

Siraj is gone and India are nine down.

🇮🇳 2️⃣2️⃣4️⃣-9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/w3imHVFmtO

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 1, 2025

Atkinson has made a resounding return to this format since his last appearance against Zimbabwe in May. Though he was amongst the wickets in that match, he didn’t quite have the same venom as he did in this game. Quite noticeably, his pace also erred on the slower side in that one-off test series against Zimbabwe.

The English quicks have completed a swift demolition job in the early hours of day two of the fifth test. As a result, India could only add 20-odd runs to their overnight score of 204. England’s response with the bat has been ferocious to say the least. At the time of writing, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have made life quite difficult for the Indian bowlers, plundering a breezy 59 inside seven overs without losing a single wicket.