India vs. England 5th Test, Day 3: Jaiswal’s Century Put India in Command

The Oval, London, August 3 (Sports Desk)

Day 3 of the 5th Test match at The Oval, part of the India tour of England 2025 and the ICC World Test Championship (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy), saw India dominate proceedings, setting England a daunting target of 374 runs to win the series 3-1. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s magnificent 118, supported by fifties from Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, powered India to 396 in their second innings. Mohammed Siraj’s dramatic last-over dismissal of Zak Crawley left England at 50/1, needing 324 more runs with only eight wickets in hand (assuming Chris Woakes cannot bat due to injury). With England leading the series 2-1, India are now favorites to square the series on Day 4.

Match Summary

• Venue: The Oval, London

• Series Context: England lead 2-1 after a draw in the 4th Test at Old Trafford. India need a win to level the series.

• Toss: England won and elected to bowl, leveraging the seam-friendly pitch (8mm grass) and overcast conditions.

• Day 3 Status: India 224 (Nair 57, Atkinson 5/33) and 396 (Jaiswal 118, Akash Deep 66, Jadeja 53, Washington 53, Tongue 5/125); England 247 (Crawley 64, Brook 53, Prasidh 4/62, Siraj 4/86) and 50/1 (Duckett 34*, Crawley 14). England need 324 runs; India need 8 wickets.

• Overs Bowled: 97.5 overs (India 2nd innings 88 overs, England 2nd innings 13.5 overs)

• Run Rate: England 2nd innings 3.61 runs/over

• Sources: ESPNcricinfo, The Guardian

India’s Second Innings: Jaiswal Leads the Charge

India resumed Day 3 at 75/2 after 18 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (51)* and Akash Deep (4)* at the crease, leading by 52 runs. Their aggressive batting, coupled with England’s bowling and fielding struggles, propelled India to 396, setting a challenging target.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal (118 off unspecified balls): Jaiswal’s sixth Test century, his second of the series, was a statement of intent. Surviving two dropped catches (by Harry Brook on 20 and Ben Duckett at leg gully), he played with flair, smashing six fours and two sixes, including a ramp shot off Josh Tongue to reach his fifty. His 118 ended when he holed out to deep point off Jamie Overton, but not before steering India to a commanding lead. His series tally now includes two centuries, underlining his emergence as a key batter.

• Akash Deep (66): The nightwatchman turned protagonist, Akash Deep scored his maiden Test fifty, a gritty 66. Starting the day with a boundary over mid-on, he wore down England’s seamers, punching the air on reaching 50—only his second professional fifty. His unexpected aggression set the tone, though he fell to Tongue’s swing.

• Ravindra Jadeja (53): Jadeja continued his stellar series, passing 500 runs with a composed 53. Overturning an lbw decision, he added 50 runs for the seventh wicket with Dhruv Jurel before steering to Brook at slip off Tongue. His all-round contribution kept India in control.

• Washington Sundar (53): Sundar’s late blitz, including four leg-side sixes in 12 balls, pushed India’s lead from 335 to 374. His 39-ball 50, capped by a towering six, ensured England faced a near-record chase. He fell to Tongue, who claimed a five-wicket haul.

• Dhruv Jurel: Added a crucial 50-run partnership with Jadeja, though exact runs are unspecified (likely 20-30). He was trapped lbw by Overton, who got a 76-over-old ball to swing.

• Others: Mohammed Siraj was dismissed lbw off an inside edge, with India out of reviews, ending a brief cameo. KL Rahul and B Sai Sudharsan fell on Day 2, but their early contributions set a platform.

England’s Bowling Struggles: Josh Tongue (5/125) led the attack, dismissing Jadeja, Sundar, and Akash Deep, but bowled 15 wides, reflecting inconsistency. Gus Atkinson (3/127) struck key blows, including Jaiswal, but was overworked. Jamie Overton took wickets but struggled with control. Without Chris Woakes (shoulder injury), England’s three seamers bowled 79 of 88 overs, with no specialist spinner. Six dropped catches, including two of Jaiswal, proved costly. Stand-in captain Ollie Pope resorted to part-time spinners (Joe Root, Jacob Bethell), but the flat pitch and heavy workload left England exhausted.

watch……India vs. England 5th Test, Day 2: India Surge Ahead with 15 Wickets Falling, Lead by 52 Runs

England’s Second Innings: Siraj’s Late Blow

Chasing 374, England’s openers started cautiously but confidently, reaching 50/0 before Mohammed Siraj delivered a game-changing moment in the final over.

• Zak Crawley (14 off 36 balls): Crawley, fluent early with 13 off 11 balls, slowed to a crawl (0 off 18) as India’s bowlers tightened up. Siraj’s wobble-seam yorker at 84mph/135kph in the penultimate ball of the day crashed into off stump, ending his resistance. Siraj’s ‘SIIIUUUU’ celebration and Crawley’s dejected stance highlighted the moment’s drama.

• Ben Duckett (34 off unspecified balls)*: Duckett played with restraint, scoring 34, including a boundary off Akash Deep. Beaten by a seaming lifter from Deep and engaging in banter with India’s fielders, he survived to keep England’s hopes alive.

• Bowling Highlights:

  • Mohammed Siraj (1/11): Siraj’s late strike was pivotal, swinging the momentum. His pace and accuracy troubled both openers, with Crawley’s dismissal tilting the game.

  • Akash Deep: Bowled a fiery spell, including a nasty lifter that hit Crawley on the bicep. His pressure led to two maidens, a rarity against England’s aggressive openers.

  • Prasidh Krishna: Delivered a rare maiden, beating Duckett with a probing delivery. His discipline kept England’s scoring rate at 3.61 runs/over.

  • Ravindra Jadeja: Yet to strike but bowled tightly, with the pitch expected to assist spinners on Day 4.

England ended at 50/1 after 13.5 overs, needing 324 runs. With Woakes unlikely to bat due to his shoulder injury, India effectively need eight wickets.

Key Moments

• Jaiswal’s Century: His 118, surviving two drops, set a formidable target, showcasing his ability to dominate under pressure.

• Sundar’s Blitz: Four sixes in 12 balls pushed India’s lead to 374, making England’s chase the second-biggest in their history.

• Siraj’s Yorker: Dismissing Crawley with two balls left swung momentum, leaving England 50/1 and India buoyant.

• England’s Fielding Woes: Six dropped catches, including Jaiswal’s, allowed India to swell their lead beyond 350.

• Pitch Dynamics: The pitch flattened out from Days 1-2 but still offered seam movement, with cracks potentially aiding Jadeja on Day 4.

Analysis

India dominated Day 3, capitalizing on England’s depleted bowling attack and fielding errors. Jaiswal’s century, Akash Deep’s surprise fifty, and Sundar’s late assault set a near-impossible target, surpassing England’s 371 chase in the 1st Test. Siraj’s late strike, removing Crawley, gave India the edge, though Duckett’s resilience and England’s history of chasing 378 at Edgbaston in 2022 keep them in the game. Without Woakes and a specialist spinner, England’s bowlers toiled, while India’s quicks, led by Siraj, exploited the pitch’s residual movement. The series hangs in the balance, with India favored but England capable of a Headingley-like chase.

Looking Ahead

• India’s Strategy: Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna will aim for early wickets on Day 4 to disrupt England’s chase. Jadeja’s spin could be crucial as the pitch wears, with cracks likely to assist. India will push for quick dismissals to secure a series-levelling win.

• England’s Plan: Duckett, Joe Root, and Harry Brook must anchor the chase, emulating their 371-run success at Headingley. A sedate start (3.61 runs/over) suggests a calculated approach, but they need 324 runs in approximately 90 overs.

• Pitch and Weather: The pitch, flatter than Days 1-2, still offers seam movement, with cracks likely to aid spinners. Showers are forecast, potentially reducing overs and favoring a draw.