During Day 2 of the second Test between England and India at Edgbaston, Chris Woakes produced a moment of magic with the ball to dismiss Nitish Reddy. The English seamer, known for his precision and ability to move the ball both ways, delivered a classic inswinger that proved too good for the young Indian batter. It was a crucial breakthrough that gave England their fifth wicket at a key moment in the match.
The delivery was pitched on a good length, just outside the off-stump. At first glance, it appeared to be a regulation ball that might carry through harmlessly. However, Woakes managed to extract late seam movement, and the ball darted back in sharply off the surface, completely deceiving Reddy in the process.
Nitish Reddy, expecting the ball to hold its line, made the fatal decision to leave it alone. Unfortunately for him, the movement was much sharper than anticipated. The ball jagged back in and crashed into the off stump, sending it cartwheeling out of the ground. Reddy had no time to adjust or react — it was simply too late by the time he realized what was happening.
His reaction told the story. With arms raised in disbelief and frustration, Reddy slowly turned to walk back to the pavilion. It was a dismissal that highlighted the gap between international experience and rookie misjudgment — and one that Woakes, with his clever bowling and subtle variations, had set up beautifully.
Chris Woakes cleans up Nitish Kumar Reddy. pic.twitter.com/z7TiYOQXkN
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 2, 2025
The wicket was not just technically superb but also strategically vital. England were looking to halt India’s progress, and this dismissal halted any momentum the visitors were trying to build. Woakes, who has made a habit of picking key wickets at home, once again delivered when his team needed him most, underlining his value as one of England’s most reliable Test bowlers.