England Takes Momentum in Decisive Fifth Test Against India at The Oval

During the second day of the decisive final Test at The Oval, England dropped crucial catches that allowed India to gain momentum, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal surviving multiple missed chances and India closing the day 75-2, leading by 52. Despite helpful bowling conditions, England's batsmen Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put on an extraordinary opening stand of 92 runs, with Duckett's aggressive shots and Crawley's boundary-filled innings putting England in a strong position. India struggled in their bowling, especially in the first session, leading to criticism from ex-Indian coach Ravi Shastri, who urged the team to focus on bowling a consistent line and length rather than trying too many variations. Former England captain Ricky Ponting noted that India failed to exploit the pitch conditions effectively, not bowling enough bouncers or full deliveries to unsettle England's openers, who scored at nearly seven runs per over. The match conditions, including overcast skies and a green, shifting pitch, favored bowlers but also challenged batters, making for a tense and tactical contest. England's fielding lapses in the evening session could jeopardize their chances of securing a series victory, as India capitalized on those errors to regain control.