India tightened their grip on the fifth Test at The Oval by declaring their second innings at 396, handing England a daunting 374-run target on Day 3. The innings was highlighted by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s composed 118, a gritty 66 from nightwatchman Akash Deep, and a rapid 53 off 46 balls by Washington Sundar that provided the late surge. Josh Tongue was England’s standout, claiming a five-wicket haul to keep the hosts in the fight.
Resuming the day with a modest lead, India found stability through the partnership between Jaiswal and Deep. The pair added over a hundred runs for the third wicket, frustrating England’s seamers on a surface offering movement. Jaiswal, playing with controlled aggression, reached his second century of the series, capitalizing on scoring opportunities behind square. Akash Deep’s resilience at the other end allowed India to build steadily and set the tone for the day.
Ravindra Jadeja contributed a patient fifty, rotating the strike and holding the innings together before Washington Sundar’s counter-attacking knock shifted momentum firmly in India’s favor. Sundar’s cameo, laced with cleanly struck sixes, allowed India to push the score beyond 390 before the declaration came late in the evening session.
England’s bowling unit worked hard throughout, but it was Josh Tongue who stole the spotlight with figures of five wickets, including key breakthroughs that prevented India from completely running away with the match. His dismissals of Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj in quick succession provided some respite for the home side after a long day in the field.
England’s reply started cautiously under the looming target. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett added 50 runs before Crawley was undone by a pinpoint yorker from Mohammed Siraj late in the day. England closed at 50/1, leaving the chase delicately poised but still massive in scale.
The Oval pitch, historically tricky for fourth-innings chases, adds further weight to the challenge. No team has successfully chased a total this high at the venue in over a century. Yet, with England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, the contest promises drama heading into the final two days.
Fielding errors compounded England’s problems. Several dropped chances during Jaiswal’s innings allowed India to stretch their lead, with lapses in the slips and outfield proving costly. The absence of Ben Stokes’ influence in the field was noticeable, as India capitalized on every reprieve to build a commanding position.
India’s second innings showcased both patience and flair, with Jaiswal anchoring and Sundar finishing in style. England’s bowlers, particularly Tongue, ensured the game remains alive, but the balance has tilted heavily towards the visitors. With 324 runs still needed and nine wickets in hand, the final act of this gripping Test will test England’s resolve and India’s ability to close out under pressure.
As the series decider heads into its penultimate phase, India hold the upper hand. A mix of disciplined batting, opportunistic stroke play, and relentless pace bowling has put them within touching distance of a famous away victory.