Can Siraj and Prasidh Turn the Tide for India in the 5th Test?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna each took three wickets.
- England lost six wickets in the afternoon session.
- India leads by nine runs at tea.
- Crucial performances from Indian pacers.
- Pressure mounts on England's batting lineup.
London, Aug 1 (NationPress) Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna each claimed three wickets to lead a determined Indian comeback, leaving England at 215/7 in 42.5 overs at tea on day two of the fifth Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval on Friday. After a promising start at 109/1 at lunch, England suffered a dramatic collapse, losing six wickets in the afternoon session. They now trail India by just nine runs and will rely on Harry Brook, who remains unbeaten on 33, to secure a narrow lead.
India appeared to be in trouble when the second session commenced, but their bowlers delivered an impressive performance, maintaining tighter lines and lengths, effectively putting pressure on the English batsmen.
In the post-lunch phase, Zak Crawley struggled with his timing, and while attempting to pull a delivery from Prasidh, he top-edged to mid-wicket and departed for 64. A few overs later, Siraj's well-placed length ball trapped Ollie Pope lbw for 22 after a successful review confirmed the ball had hit the stumps.
Brook and Joe Root attempted to stabilize England’s innings with five boundaries in their brief 33-run partnership, but Siraj struck again, trapping Root lbw as England wasted a review.
Siraj continued to excel, claiming Jacob Bethell lbw for just six with an inswinging yorker, while Prasidh dismissed Jamie Smith, who edged a back-foot drive to KL Rahul at second slip. Just before tea, Prasidh trapped Jamie Overton lbw for a duck, concluding the session in India's favor.
Brief scores:
India 224 in 69.4 overs (Karun Nair 57, B Sai Sudharsan 38; Gus Atkinson 5-33, Josh Tongue 3-57) lead England 215/7 in 42.5 overs (Zak Crawley 64, Ben Duckett 43; Prasidh Krishna 3-51, Mohammed Siraj 3-66) by nine runs