India gained a significant upper hand in the The Oval Test match, securing a crucial lead against England on a day when players honored legendary Graham Thorpe on his Birth Anniversary. Though India lost Rahul and Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s quickfire half-century helped India take a crucial lead and set the tone for a good second innings total.
India vs England: Lots to look ahead on Day 3
Though, a lot of work is yet to done, Jaiswal’s knock helped India recover from early setbacks and set a benchmark for the upcoming players on how to bat in these difficult conditions. It will be important to see how India approach Day 3 which will be crucial to India’s chances. India need to set a target of at least 300 to challenge England and level the Test series.
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India vs England: Jaiswal’s quickfire 51* give India Momentum
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played a crucial knock of unbeaten 51 runs, anchoring India’s reply and helping the team take a slender but vital lead.
Facing a disciplined English attack on a testing pitch, Jaiswal combined flair and aggression with his elegant strokeplay. His half-century laid the foundation for India’s innings, stabilizing the top order and shifting momentum in the hosts’ favor.
The left-hander’s half-century, laced with well-timed boundaries and intelligent rotation of strike, was instrumental in India edging past England’s lead, setting the tone for a possible upper hand in the Test.
India vs England: Siraj, Krishna restrict England
In a disciplined and fiery display of fast bowling, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna combined forces to choke England’s scoring momentum, applying relentless pressure during the middle overs.
Siraj’s sharp seam movement and aggressive length paid dividends as he picked up key wickets early on, while Krishna’s bounce and accuracy from a high release point made scoring difficult.
Together, they broke partnerships and ensured England never found rhythm, restricting them to a below-par total. Their spell was a testament to India’s growing pace depth and tactical execution in white-ball cricket.
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Players honored Graham Thorpe on his Birth Anniversary
It truly was ‘A Day for Thorpey’ at The Oval, as his friends, teammates and players from both countries honored the left-handed batsman, who accumulated 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 over 100 matches from 1993 to 2005.
Players donned headbands featuring a silhouette of Graham Thorpe along with his initials during practice. His spouse Amanda and daughter Emma were there to ring the bell before the second day’s match.
Ben Stokes reflected on the influence Graham Thorpe had on both his career and the team. “Thorpey has been a highly impactful figure both as a player and a coach in English cricket. Several of us in that dressing room invested a lot of time with him while he was progressing through the ranks and, as we joined the main (England) team, Thorpey was with us for many years,” Stokes stated.
Legacy of Graham Thorpe
A legendary left-hander and gritty competitor, Thorpe’s contributions to English cricket extended far beyond the scorecards. Known for his resilience both on and off the field, his memory added a layer of poignancy to the triumph.
Debuting in 1993, Graham Thorpe became a cornerstone of the batting lineup through a turbulent decade. His calm under pressure and ability to anchor innings often salvaged England from collapse, particularly in overseas conditions that tested temperament and technique.
