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The fifth Test between India and England at The Oval is poised for a thrilling finish with the way Day 3 transpired. Mohammed got rid of Zak Crawley at the stroke of stumps, which saw England finish Day 3 at 50/3 while chasing a daunting 374-run target. While India are nine-wicket away from sealing the fifth Test, England need 324 runs to win the match. Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 34, leaving England needing a further 324 runs to win, with the much-improved batting conditions offering them a glimmer of hope.
Quartet of Jaiswal-Akash-Jadeja-Washington frustrates England
Earlier in the day, India took full advantage of the better weather and a flattening pitch to post a total of 396. The innings was highlighted by a masterful 118 from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who shared a crucial 107-run partnership with nightwatchman Akash Deep. Deep surprised many with a maiden Test fifty, adding to England's frustrations as their makeshift bowling attack, missing the injured Chris Woakes, struggled to make an early breakthrough. Their efforts were further hampered by a series of fielding errors, including a dropped catch of Deep on 21, bringing their total to six dropped catches for the innings.
Although England's bowling improved after lunch, with Gus Atkinson dismissing captain Shubman Gill for 12, India's lower order continued to pile on the runs. Ravindra Jadeja contributed a fluent 53, and Washington Sundar provided a late surge with a rapid 39-ball fifty, including four sixes, before India was all out. Josh Tongue was the standout bowler for England, claiming three of the final wickets to complete a five-wicket haul (5-125) for his tireless efforts.
With rain forecast for Sunday, England's quest to achieve the highest-ever Test chase at The Oval—surpassing the 263 they chased against Australia in 1902—will be challenging. The situation mirrors their impressive chase of 371 against India in the first Test at Headingley, which ignited this competitive series, and will undoubtedly provide them with confidence heading into day four.
As play resumed on day four with India holding a 52-run lead, England's depleted bowling attack faced a daunting task under a bright sun that created the best batting conditions of the series so far. India’s opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had been dropped twice late on day three, initially played a more reserved role. Instead, it was nightwatchman Akash Deep who became an unlikely hero for India, punishing England's overly short bowling with a well-deserved maiden Test half-century. England's frustration was compounded when Zak Crawley dropped a crucial catch in the slips, further highlighting their fielding struggles.
The breakthrough for England finally came shortly before lunch when Jamie Overton dismissed Deep for 66, caught in the covers. A glimmer of hope for a fightback appeared when Gus Atkinson removed captain Shubman Gill. However, the formidable Jaiswal remained at the crease, punishing England's inconsistent bowling to score his second century of the series off just 127 balls. His masterful performance was particularly effective against England's short and wide deliveries, with 72 of his first 100 runs scored behind square on the off side. England's fielding woes continued throughout the day, with a total of six dropped catches, including a dropped chance of Jaiswal on 110 by Ben Duckett and Harry Brook's spill of Karun Nair at slip. This was the most dropped catches in an innings for England since 2006, and Jaiswal ensured they paid a hefty price for their errors.
Jos Tongue shines with a fifer
After the lunch break, England's bowlers found their rhythm, tightening their lines and being rewarded with the key wickets of Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, it was once again Ravindra Jadeja who proved to be a thorn in their side. The all-rounder continued his stellar form, reaching his fifth fifty of the series and building crucial partnerships of 44 with Jaiswal and 50 with Dhruv Jurel. Jadeja's exceptional run of form in the series saw him finish with 516 runs at an average of 86. His second-innings dominance was finally broken when Harry Brook held on to a catch at slip, dismissing him for 53 off the bowling of Josh Tongue. At that point, India’s lead stood at 334, a significant but potentially achievable target for a dynamic England batting lineup.
England quickly followed up Jadeja's dismissal by having Mohammed Siraj pinned lbw by Tongue, seemingly putting them on the path to wrapping up the innings. However, Washington Sundar had other plans. With the ninth wicket falling, Sundar, who was on 17 at the time, launched a counter-attack. England inexplicably reverted to bowling short, which Sundar expertly punished with four massive sixes to reach a quick-fire half-century. He also skillfully shielded the number 11 batsman, Prasidh Krishna, a partnership that could prove to be a match-winning effort.
Throughout the innings, England's bowling attack was stretched thin. Stand-in captain Ollie Pope had to manage a depleted unit, as they were already a bowler down due to Chris Woakes' shoulder injury on day one. With little turn available from part-time spinners Joe Root and Jacob Bethell, Pope had to rely heavily on his seamers. Tongue and Gus Atkinson put in a tireless effort, bowling 30 and 27 overs, respectively. Atkinson's hard work was rewarded with three wickets, adding to his first-innings five-for. In contrast, Jamie Overton was ineffective, finishing with figures of 2-98 and putting immense pressure on his fellow bowlers.
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