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.

England got his man early on Day 2 of the ongoing Test match against India at The Oval. Josh Tounge took Karun Nair's wicket just a few minutes after the day started. A little bit of movement from the ball did the work for the home team. 

Day 1 of the match was start-stop because of continuous rain. The pitch of The Oval was still pretty active during the initial overs of Day 2. The men in the blue team are already without some of their main men and heavily dependent on Nair; after the stumps of Day 1, he was the last full-time batsman India had left in the lineup.

The middle-order batter fought brilliantly under tough conditions and completed his half century before the stumps of Day 1. India is 6 down, leaving Karun and Washington Sundar as the last hope in the middle. In the early stage of Day 2, every ball was important for both of the teams. India needed runs, and England was in search of wickets.

Read More: Which player KKR can drop to acquire KL Rahul for IPL 2026?

Again a batting collapse 

Pacer Josh Tounge did not take too long to strike. His good-length delivery was angled towards the right-handed Karun Nair. Nair was on his front foot, shields on, but he misjudged the line of the ball and had to pay. The red ball hits the pad, leg before the wicket.

Josh Tongue removes Karun Nair early on Day Two! 💪 pic.twitter.com/LRmUJzp3ea

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 1, 2025

Nair went back to the pavilion after 57 against 109 deliveries. When he departed, India was 218 for 7. They took the rest of the wicket in a quick motion. Gus Atkinson took the remaining 3 wickets. India is 10 wickets down with 224 on the board. In exchange for the last 4 wickets, India added only 6 runs to their total. 

On Day 1 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, India experienced a major defeat when Ravindra Jadeja got out for only 9 runs. This sent the visitors into a difficult situation. England, having won the toss and decided to bowl in overcast conditions, made the most of the receptive wicket. The Indian top order found it difficult to play against the swinging ball, and Jadeja’s loss at the early stage dented their hopes of a solid first-innings total.

The day began with rain delays, and only six overs could be bowled in the afternoon session before tea was taken early. In that short period, India lost their skipper, Shubman Gill, who was dismissed for 21 after a run-out following a single that was misjudged. Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair tried to rebuild a partnership with a gritty stand after tea, but Josh Tongue ended the stand with a brilliant ball that got Sudharsan out for 38. Soon after, he delivered another gem to get rid of Jadeja.

Jadeja walked in at number six, aiming to stabilize the innings. Tongue angled a delivery in from around the wicket. The ball straightened after pitching, took Jadeja’s outside edge, and was safely pouched by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. The all-rounder’s dismissal left India reeling at 123/5, with England firmly in control.

Watch the video here

Josh Tongue - the first time was so nice, he had to do it twice ✌️

(via @englandcricket) #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/CcFbntRCQe

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 31, 2025

See Also: 'Those were the right picks' - Former India coach backs key selections for ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Tongue’s Brilliant Spell Puts India on the Back Foot

Josh Tongue has been the standout bowler in the match, grabbing 2/32 and constantly troubling batters with his bounce and movement. His removal of Jadeja marked as turning point of the session. At the time of writing, India is 137/5 in 46 overs—Karun Nair 18*, Dhruv Jurel 7*.

England captain, Ollie Pope, won the toss and decided to bowl first at the Kennington Oval in South London during the fifth Test of the five-match series on a surface where there was live grass and potential assistance for the seamers under grey skies. It was nearly a new look bowling side for England from the fourth game at Old Trafford, apart from Chris Woakes. 

Gus Atkinson, returning to the national side after several weeks of injury which he picked up during the opening Test of the summer at Trent Bridge against Zimbabwe, drew the first blood with the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The home side expected to get a huge advantage with the wicket, but Josh Tongue’s wayward opening over didn’t give the same indication.

See Also: ICC reveals host and dates for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier

The very first ball of the right-arm pacer was a short ball that headed down the leg side for a boundary as the umpire called it five wides. The bowler was quick enough to look back at the foot hole in the landing area. The second ball was on the good length, far away from KL Rahul, who had no intention to play that.

Josh Tongue's poor wayward 9-ball opening over during ENG vs IND 5th Test

The third delivery from Tongue was dropped into the offside as the batters called for a single. Sai Sudharsan faced the third legal ball of the over. The next ball was another wide delivery, followed by the second five-wides of the over. On the second occasion, it went miles away from the southpaw as the wicket-keeper had no chance of stopping the delivery.

JOSH TONGUE MASTERCLASS

- two 5 wides in an over #INDVsENGLive pic.twitter.com/qUxGLHJZn4

— Cricket iq desk 🏏 (@criciqdesk) July 31, 2025

The last two balls were legal as he slowly started to get the line right by the end of the over. However, getting 12 runs, India went off to a fine start as the pressure slowly got off the shoulders of the visiting side.

Tongue, however, coming into his second over of the innings, raised a few challenges to Rahul, who played and missed the full-length deliveries. He is a key member of the side, along with captain Shubman Gill, for India to win the fifth contest and walk off with a 2-2 drawn series result.

KL Rahul’s gritty half-century came to an abrupt end early on Day 4 of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston, as Josh Tongue produced a peach of a delivery to clean him up and breathe new life into England’s bowling effort.

Resuming India’s second innings with a healthy lead, Rahul looked in complete control through most of the morning. The right-hander brought up his fifty off 78 balls, mixing solid defense with stylish strokeplay. It wasn’t without its nervy moments, a few edges flying past slips and some well-directed bouncers testing his technique, but Rahul showed composure under pressure and appeared set for a big score.

Partnering with skipper Shubman Gill after the early loss of Karun Nair, Rahul kept the scoreboard ticking and wore down the English attack. His timing was sharp, and he was particularly effective square of the wicket, unfurling several crisp drives and flicks. For India, his innings came at a crucial time, helping extend their lead beyond 300 and providing the foundation for a potentially match-defining total.

Watch the video:

Middle stump = REMOVED pic.twitter.com/M1lBH3Gnbh

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 5, 2025

ALSO SEE: RCB facing an indefinite ban? Here's the latest update from the BCCI

Tongue’s First-Ball Stunner Ends Rahul’s Resistance, India Lose Third Wicket Early on Day 4

However, just when it seemed like Rahul had settled in for a long stay, Josh Tongue, brought into the attack after the drinks break, struck with his very first delivery of the day. It was an absolute jaffa full, fast, and cutting in late, and Rahul was caught on the crease. The ball snuck past his bat and pad, clattering into the middle stump. Rahul, who had just completed a fluent fifty, was left stunned as the bails flew off.

Rahul walked back for 50, a valuable knock but one that ended too soon for India’s liking. His dismissal left India at 126/3, with a lead of 306 runs. Rishabh Pant, known for his counter-attacking instincts, joined Gill at the crease.

With variable bounce starting to creep in and England fired up after the breakthrough, the Test has moved into an intriguing phase. Rahul’s wicket was a big moment,t and now, it’s up to India’s middle order to press on and build a lead that puts the game beyond England’s reach.