India’s bowling malaise worsens in Bumrah’s absence at The Oval

IND vs ENG 5th Test: Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett halved India's total in less than 20 overs in a stunning display at The Oval

England’s Bazball threw India completely off guard on Day 2 of the IND vs ENG 5th Test. Shubman Gill and Co were bowled out for a paltry 224 before the English openers gazumped through to Lunch at the Oval. Such was the brilliance of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, England almost halved India’s score in less than 20 overs in London.

Bazball shockwaves in Indian attack after Day 2 assault

India folded in just 34 deliveries on Day 2. With the pitch offering assistance to the pacers, England came out with a plan of attack: Attack. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett ruffled a few feathers early in the innings. The hosts raced to 50 in just 7 overs with their openers in full flow.

None of the Indian pacers got their lines or lengths right. Akash Deep resorted to mind games, sledging Duckett only to be hit back with more venom. He eventually got the left-hander only for his adventurous reverse scoop to fall flat. England raced to a hundred in the 15th over – only twice have a team got it sooner.

Jasprit Bumrah’s control was solely missed, with the Indian pacer released from the squad for the 5th Test. While the Indian attack lacked penetration, it was excellent batsmanship from the England openers as well.

“What a display of batsmanship from Zak Crawley. He looked assured and very decisive in his footwork. Some of the drives he played through the off-side on a wicket that was offering considerable seam movement were just terrific to watch. Ben Duckett kept charging down the pitch to Akash Deep and was consistently driving through the off-side. Some of the shots he played, although they looked extravagant, were actually classical cricket strokes. Before India could even attempt to regroup, the pair had put together a solid 92-run stand and completely took the session away,” said Sanjay Bangar at the Lunch break.

Why is the Indian attack struggling?

India’s attack now face an uphill task. They struggled in Manchester and now The Oval also seems to be unkind. To make matters worse, Bumrah is unavailable. Mohammed Siraj is the only pacer to play all 5 Tests for India. While he leads the wicket charts, he is fatigued. England had Woakes play all 5 Tests and he was ruled out on Day 1 after a shoulder dislocation.

Akash Deep missed out in Manchester due to injury. The star of Edgbaston looked rusty and will need to buckle his ideas up in the final Test. Prasidh Krishna’s return to the Test side has not panned out well, with him being wayward once again.

“It’s really tough out there for bowlers because England came at them with a complete shock-and-awe approach. The Indian bowlers were caught like deer in the headlights—they simply didn’t see it coming. On a wicket like this, as a bowling unit, you expect to make two or three early breakthroughs. here’s only so much a bowler can do—you try to hit the right areas. But as a batting unit, England succeeded by playing with guts, conviction, and clarity,” former India pacer Varun Aaron said in the post Lunch show.