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In a devastating spell of fast bowling at his home ground, England‘s Gus Atkinson ripped through the Indian batting lineup on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Atkinson’s fiery performance secured a five-wicket haul, a crucial achievement that dismantled the Indian lower order and saw the visitors bowled out for a modest total. This sensational effort has put England in a dominant position and shifted the momentum of the series finale.
Gus Atkinson’s home turf heroics decimate Karun Nair and India’s tail on Day 2 of Oval Test
Gus Atkinson, playing at his home ground, delivered a career-defining performance that tore through India’s lower-order on a challenging Oval pitch. Resuming on Day 2 with India at 204/6, Atkinson wasted no time in making his presence felt. He took three of the final four Indian wickets in a brilliant spell that lasted just 34 deliveries, finishing with exceptional figures of 5-33 from 21.4 overs.
His victims on the second day included Karun Nair, who was trapped lbw for 57, Washington Sundar, who pulled a short ball to deep square leg, and a stunning double strike to clean up Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, sealing his richly deserved five-wicket haul. Earlier Atkinson removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. This was the fourth five-wicket haul of Atkinson’s promising Test career, highlighting his immense potential.
His spell was made even more critical by the fact that England was without Chris Woakes, who had sustained a shoulder injury on Day 1 and was ruled out of the remainder of the match. Atkinson’s performance not only dismantled the Indian innings but also demonstrated the effectiveness of the Oval pitch for seam bowlers, providing a blueprint for the Indian attack to follow.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Here’s why England players are wearing head bands on Day 2 of Oval Test
India’s collapse after promising start against England
India’s first innings at The Oval was a tale of missed opportunities, with a promising start undone by a dramatic collapse. On a rain-affected Day 1, India’s top order struggled against the English pacers on a green-tinged pitch under overcast skies. Despite a gritty half-century from Nair (57) and a solid knock from Sai Sudharsan (38), none of the Indian batters were able to convert their starts into a big score. The loss of key wickets, including that of captain Shubman Gill to a run-out, left India vulnerable.
The team’s struggles were compounded on Day 2, as they lost their last four wickets for a mere 20 runs, collapsing from an overnight score of 204/6 to a paltry 224 all out. The Indian tailenders offered very little resistance to the relentless English attack, a recurring issue that has plagued them throughout the series. With England’s bowlers showing that the pitch has plenty to offer, India’s bowlers now face a monumental task to keep the home side’s first-innings lead to a manageable total and bring their team back into the game.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Five wickets for Gus Atkinson, who has been head and shoulders above the rest of England's attack on his home ground. Currently has 60 wickets at 21 in his 13th Test. Has quietly been a big miss from England's attack this summer.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) August 1, 2025
Four five-fors in 13 Tests for Atkinson.
For comparison, other current England seamers…
Wood: 5
Stokes: 5
Woakes: 5
Archer: 3— Yas Rana (@Yas_Wisden) August 1, 2025
It might be temporary, but as of now, no bowler, dead or alive; has taken more Test wickets at a better strike rate than Gus Atkinson in last 125 years.
He has grabbed 60 wickets at an astonishing strike rate of 34.9! pic.twitter.com/uRB8FHY4dn— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek) August 1, 2025
Gus Atkinson was player of the year for England last season and he has got a fifer on his comeback game that for just 33 runs at economy of 1.52, India should consider themselves lucky that there was no Gus Atkinson in 1st 4 games. This series could be 4-0 up with him available.
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) August 1, 2025
What a spell from Gus Atkinson today morning as he get his fourth 5-wicket haul (5/33). Wrote about him, how crucial his role will be given Woakes will not be available. #ENGvIND https://t.co/33Wq6DxIrg pic.twitter.com/mljQWV9hcO
— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) August 1, 2025
A lot of talk about injuries in this series, can't help but think that Gus Atkinson might have been the biggest miss of the lot.
— The Cricket Podcast (@TheCricketPod) August 1, 2025
Atkinson at this point should just be a test specialist.
England have the right idea with Anderson/Broad. The drop you get is less than the issues of often having an injured seamer.
Hes probably our best seamer in current conditions.— James McCaghrey (@MccaghreyJames) August 1, 2025
What a player Gus Atkinson has turned out to be. In only his 13th test, this is 4th five wicket haul, and he also has a test century to his name.
Said it pre series, that Atkinson is gonna be a huge miss for England. England would hope that he remains fit for the Ashes.
— Spandan Roy (@talksports45) August 1, 2025
I really like Gus Atkinson, got a very decent CV now for England anyway, but he’s the only bowler of the newer generation that I feel confident that he will deliver
— Ben Bowman 🏆🏆🏆 (@ben_bowman_) August 1, 2025
Keep Atkinson fit and he will lead Englands bowling attack for the next 5+ years… #EngvInd
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) August 1, 2025
