IND vs ENG: Varun Aaron says India are now in a position to win Oval Test

Aaron also spoke at length about Prasidh Krishna’s impact, and said that the turning point in the game was created by the pacer’s pressure on Jacob Bethell.

“Bowling the right length was key because Jacob Bethell didn’t look comfortable at all. The way he stepped out was a clear sign of pressure. Prasidh wasn’t giving away easy singles, and I think Bethell’s approach disrupted England’s momentum. Until then, Harry Brook and Joe Root were rotating strike well and picking up boundaries. But the moment Bethell came in, it felt like a full stop in their innings. He couldn’t absorb the pressure—either trying to hit a four or just defending, with nothing in between. That dismissal—and more importantly, the quiet period leading up to it—brought India right back into the game,” Aaron said.

Aaron also praised the crowd at the Oval and praised the bowling intensity post-tea of Shubman Gill’s team.

“Talking about the fans, it really felt like I was watching the game at Wankhede. There were Ganpati chants, India chants—I couldn’t hear the English supporters at all. The Indian supporters are out in huge numbers, and I think it’s their energy that the Indian team is feeding off. Siraj and Prasidh bowled five high-intensity overs each after tea, and that effort resulted in two crucial wickets. Siraj was quite unlucky, as he has been throughout the day—he bowled unbelievably well. So many of his deliveries hit the pad, but he just didn’t get the LBW calls. England now find themselves in a tough spot, and I genuinely feel this break is going to do India a world of good. The bowlers get to rest, stretch, have a massage, and get some treatment from the physios. They can come back fresh and give it everything again. This post-tea session has been brilliant—accurate bowling, smart captaincy by Shubman Gill who didn’t allow easy singles, and two very important wickets,” Aaron said.