Indian batters couldn't stand Gus Atkinson's fury as they were bowled out for mere 224 within 26 minutes to the start of Day 2 in the ongoing fifth Test at the Kennington Oval on August 1, Friday. India resumed the day at 204/6, with Karun Nair and Washington Sundar intact on the crease. But Atkinson hunted down the last match centurion Washington Sundar for 26 and later the India's tail failed to add much to the run tally and eventually were restricted for paltry 224 despite Karun Nair's fighting 57 off 109. Atkinson, who shouldered England's bowling attack sans Chris Woakes, who has been ruled out of the match, was pick of the England bowlers with a blazing 5/33 while Josh Tongue also contributed with an impressive 3/57.
Gus Atkinson rocks India's back
India's hopes of posting a strong total were quickly extinguished on the second morning, as England's bowlers ripped through the lower order. The collapse began in the third over of the day when Karun Nair, who had battled hard for his half-century on Day 1, was trapped lbw for 57 by a sharp delivery from Josh Tongue. Just five balls later, Washington Sundar threw his wicket away with a rash pull shot, finding Jamie Overton at deep square leg. Gus Atkinson and Tongue then finished the tail off, with Atkinson claiming impressive figures of 5 for 33 in his return to the side.
This collapse compounded a disappointing batting performance from India. Several batsmen got starts but failed to convert them into significant scores. Yashasvi Jaiswal's poor form continued as he was dismissed for just 2, and KL Rahul was bowled for 14. After a brief period of stability, Shubman Gill was run out for 21, and debutant Sai Sudharsan was eventually dismissed for a patient 38. The dismissals of Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja for 9 left India's long tail exposed. The team's one bright spot was Nair, whose determined fifty on the first day, alongside Sundar, had helped them avoid further losses before the close of play.
The only blot to England's dominant bowling was their umpteen extras. The hosts conceded 38 extras, including 16 byes and 14 wides. While this did not impact the outcome of the innings.