“Have you ever felt like nothing good is ever going to happen to you?” That famous line from The Sopranos, spoken by Chris Moltisanti, could describe how India’s young players felt during lunch on Day 2 of the India vs England Test 2025 at The Oval. Just like Chris, who’s frustrated with his progress in the mob, India’s team might have felt that their hard work wasn’t bringing rewards.
In the India vs England Test 2025, India were trailing 2-1 in the series. England had reached 109 for 1 in just 16 overs, and team selection was under the spotlight again. India had picked only three fast bowlers, and it looked like the decision would cost them dearly.
Until that point, India’s pace attack had bowled poorly, while England’s openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, played brilliantly. One more bad session could have meant the end of the India vs England Test 2025 series. But India needed someone to respond like Paulie “Walnuts” from The Sopranos, who, when asked if he ever felt hopeless, replied: “Yeah. So what?”
Siraj Steps Up Like Paulie Walnuts
Paulie is a loyal and tough character who doesn’t feel sorry for himself. That’s what India needed in the India vs England Test 2025. Mohammed Siraj fit that role. He may not be the leader like Jasprit Bumrah, but he’s reliable, hardworking, and determined.
Siraj had a rough start, conceding 31 runs in four overs. That’s why Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna were given the ball after lunch. Akash began well but was rattled by a six from Duckett. Duckett then stepped out of his crease and cut him for another boundary, making it clear that he wasn’t afraid.
This was Bazball in full swing, and India were under serious pressure in the India vs England Test 2025. Prasidh looked decent, but he too had just been dropped from the last game. Still, this trio of bowlers had to respond. And they did, by taking 6 wickets for 106 runs in the session. That was their “so what” moment.
Prasidh later revealed that the three fast bowlers had a chat among themselves. They decided to forget the poor start and focus on helping each other. They supported each other with advice and encouragement, determined to change the momentum of the India vs England Test 2025.
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Better Lengths, Better Results
India’s fast bowlers realized they had fallen into the trap of bowling hard ODI-style lengths. That wasn’t working on a pitch that needed seam and swing. So, they changed their plan and started bowling in the 5-6 meter zone more often.
In the morning session, they hit that good-length area only 7.2% of the time. But after lunch, they bowled it 13.4% of the time. That gave the ball more chances to swing and seam, keeping the stumps and edges in play.
In this crucial phase of the India vs England Test 2025, Crawley still looked solid, but Siraj’s words from mid-on kept lifting the spirits of the others. Prasidh said it was mentally challenging to keep bowling well when batters were attacking, but they reminded each other to stay patient and focused.
Siraj came back strong with an 8-over spell: 35 runs, 3 wickets. He bowled both outswing and wobble seam deliveries. He dismissed Joe Root with a clever plan—first dragging him outside off, then nailing him LBW with seam movement. He bowled only one delivery fuller than 5 meters in his first 12 overs—and that delivery got Jacob Bethell out.
Prasidh Finds Rhythm, Akash Deep Battles Through Pain
Prasidh Krishna followed Siraj with a wicket-taking wobble seam delivery to dismiss Jamie Overton LBW. He had been practicing this delivery for a while, and in the India vs England Test 2025, it finally paid off.
Akash Deep, although not among the top wicket-takers that day, played a big role. He bowled a 5-over spell, rested for three overs, then came back with a 6-over spell. He did this while struggling with a shoulder niggle. His efforts—5-0-16-0 and 6-0-18-0—put pressure on the batters and gave the other bowlers chances.
The rain later interrupted the game at just the right time. It helped India keep Harry Brook quiet while saving some energy. For those watching the India vs England Test 2025, it might’ve looked like England had already won. But as Silvio said in The Sopranos, quoting The Godfather: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”
The India vs England Test 2025 continues to deliver unexpected twists, showing the fight and grit of India’s young pace attack. This match is becoming one of the most memorable moments of the India vs England Test 2025.
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