England and India continued their tryst with each other on Day 2 of the fifth Test match at the Kennington Oval ground in London.
England started the proceeding from 198 for 7 after the Indian bowlers run through their middle order despite being 133/2 at one stage. Jasprit Bumrah quickly managed to get rid of Adil Rashid (17) with England struggling at 214 for 8.
But this was the last wicket that India saw for 98 runs and 20 overs, as birthday boy Jos Buttler kicked into high gear and Stuart Broad annoyed the Indian bowlers at the other end. The 9th wicket partnership between the two took England go past 300.
The partnership was broken finally when Ravindra Jadeja removed Broad for 38 off 50 balls and then Buttler was the last man to get out for a well deserved 89 off 133 balls. He was congratulated by the Indian players on the field, as England finished their first innings on 332.
India needed some good start from the openers but Broad struck early, removing Shikhar Dhawan (3) on his first ball of the match. KL Rahul (37) and Cheteshwar Pujara (37) added 64 runs for the second wicket. But then Sam Curran clean bowled Rahul and James Anderson removed Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane (0) to leave India at 103/4.
Debutant Hanuma Vihari survived an LBW appeal, which in replays showed that he was out and on the next ball, was given out LBW, but was saved by the DRS call.
Vihari and Virat Kohli added a 51 run partnership before Ben Stokes got the Indian skipper caught by Joe Root for 49.
Wicketkeeper batsman, Rishabh Pant (5) disappointed once again and left India struggling 174/6 at stumps with Vihari (25) and Jadeja (8) on the crease.
Here is how the Twitter world reacted to 2nd day’s play:
We are very lucky to have @josbuttler … He is an incredible Cricketer … One that’s going to Win England games across all 3 formats for many years … Not many can do that … #EngvInd
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 8, 2018
At the end of Day-1, India was in with a real shout.
At the end of Day-2….India need a miracle to change the score line from reading 1-4 #EngvInd— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 8, 2018
Amid all the overblown farewell hyperbole about Cook, a good but not great England batsman, Jimmy Anderson is currently reminding us that he is, without any doubt, England's greatest ever bowler.
Sublime skill, relentless line & length, fantastic cricket brain. @jimmy9 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/8CTPRSjRiD— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 8, 2018
Does anyone need more convincing Shikhar Dhawan will never be a red ball player in conditions outside the subcontinent? Please he shouldnt play West Indies and score hundreds and get to play Aus again!!
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 8, 2018
India have batted horrendously in this series, some really poor dismissals for some high class players, including Che, Rahane.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 8, 2018
Ravindra Jadeja delivered a semma spell to end the England innings!
ENGLAND (1st Innings) – 332 all out#ENGvIND #INDvENG #5thTest #Cricket #TheCricketTimes pic.twitter.com/16ffWtXsVd— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 8, 2018
England take the spoils on day two here at The Oval after taking five wickets in the final session, including that of Virat Kohli. India still more than 150 behind and just four wickets left. #ENGvIND
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) September 8, 2018
#RaviShastri Cow dung coach inspires #TeamIndia to produce yet another stellar performance #ENGvIND @RaviShastriOfc @BCCI
— Ansuman@4 (@Ansuman4all1) September 8, 2018
*India loses its 6th wicket*
Ravi Shastri(angrily)- Why Hardik, why? Why can't you stay at the pitch a bit longer?
Hardik Pandya- But I am not even playing this match.
Ravi Shastri- Ohh!!! Sorry buddy. It has become a habit for me. #dailydose #ENGvIND #funintended— Dudewa (@kkarrann007) September 8, 2018
Another shameful performance by India… Same story, #nolearning #ENGvIND
— Madhur Sharma (@Madjamy) September 8, 2018
England tail can bat better than Shikhar Dhawan; terrible fielder as well. Put him on the next flight home asap. #ENGvIND
— Shelley Singh (@shelley_singh1) September 8, 2018
