India endured a dismal start to Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval, collapsing from a stable position to lose four wickets for just 20 runs. Bowled out for 224 in their first innings, the visitors were left reeling as England’s pace attack, led by Gus Atkinson, wreaked havoc in helpful conditions. Making his return to the side after months, Atkinson seized the opportunity, exploiting the overcast skies and green-tinged surface with precision. His five-wicket haul made all the difference, but India held onto hope, counting on Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj to mount a comeback with the ball.
That hope, however, began to unravel quickly thanks to a blistering start by England opener Ben Duckett. Facing Akash Deep, Duckett survived an early LBW scare and a dropped catch in the fourth over. Instead of retreating into caution, he stunned everyone by reverse-scooping a length delivery for six, announcing his aggressive intent. It was a fearless approach that shook the Indian camp early in the innings, despite the promising conditions.
Akash Deep, to his credit, responded well in the following over with a beauty that squared up Duckett and beat him outside off, hinting at a possible shift in momentum. But Duckett was undeterred. In a bold move, he danced down the very next ball and punished the width with a fierce drive through covers. Akash stuck to his length, but the English batter continued to dominate, dispatching another delivery with authority to the boundary. Even a change in line from Akash was met with resistance, as Duckett calmly clipped a straighter delivery for four through midwicket.
By this point, Akash Deep’s shoulders had dropped, visibly deflated by the relentless counterattack. The pressure of Test cricket and a hostile batting response had clearly rattled the young pacer. But just when it looked like things might spiral for him, KL Rahul stepped in. The stand-in skipper approached his bowler with calm words of encouragement, reminding him that the deliveries were good and the batter was simply being aggressive. Rahul’s reassurance, “Thik hai bhai, sab achha ball hi tha. Mar raha hai, koi problem nahi hai,” was a touching moment of leadership that resonated with fans online.
— Why_Benstokes (@benstokes94425) August 1, 2025
This small but significant gesture from KL Rahul earned praise from the cricketing community and social media alike. In a high-stakes match filled with tension, Rahul’s composed and supportive demeanor provided a glimpse into the importance of leadership under pressure. As the Test progressed, this moment became a symbol of unity and trust within the Indian team—proof that even in the face of adversity, the belief in one another can be the spark that turns the tide.