India began the day just 52 runs ahead, with Jaiswal already past 50. The plan was clear: stretch the lead as far as possible and bat England out of the game. Through partnerships big and small, India pushed the total to a daunting 473, setting England a 374-run target in the fourth innings — the highest ever chase at The Oval, and the third-highest ever in England.
The innings wasn’t dominated by one century. Instead, multiple players chipped in — Jaiswal, Jadeja, Nair, and Sundar — each playing vital roles. The approach frustrated England and showcased India’s depth. A relentless display of patience and calculation saw the lead cross 200 by mid-morning, 300 by tea, and finally close near 375 before declaring.
Siraj Removes Crawley with a Fiery Yorker at Stumps
With the shadows lengthening and just two deliveries left in the day, Mohammed Siraj produced a ball for the ages. Bowling with the new ball, he delivered a sizzling wobble seam yorker that crashed into Crawley’s off-stump before the bat could come down. Crawley, stunned and silent, stood for a moment in disbelief before walking off.
It was a massive moment. Crawley and Duckett had weathered the early storm and brought up a 50-run partnership. But Siraj’s late strike changed the equation completely. At stumps, England were 50/1, needing 324 more runs — with one top-order wicket already gone and momentum firmly with India.
Washington Sundar’s Blazing 50 Takes Game Away
Sundar entered when England still had a faint chance of wrapping things up under a 320-run lead. But his 50 off just 39 balls extinguished any such hope. He looked in complete control, playing with flair and confidence. His six off Overton was the shot of the day — picked cleanly over mid-wicket.
He played the field smartly, forcing the bowlers to bowl defensive lines. With the help of Jadeja and later Akash Deep, Sundar ensured India stayed on the front foot. His counterattack was not reckless but calculated, and helped India add 80+ runs in just 12 overs before the final wickets fell.
Timeline – Day 3, India vs England, 5th Test at The Oval
0–1 Hour Ago
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15m ago: An absorbing (penultimate) day leaves India favourites
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21m ago: Miyan’s magic yorker
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32m ago: Quiet time for Crawley
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39m ago: Prasidh’s challenge to Duckett
1–2 Hours Ago
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1h ago: Time for Siraj
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1h ago: Stinger!
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1h ago: Series on the line
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1h ago: 374 to win!
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1h ago: 50 off 39!
2–3 Hours Ago
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2h ago: Sundar sixer!
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2h ago: Third time lucky!
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2h ago: 50 for Jadeja
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2h ago: Smith’s heavy workload
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2h ago: Reasons for optimism?
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2h ago: Rockstar Ravindra
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2h ago: Overton strikes!
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2h ago: India lead by 300
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2h ago: Eagle-eyed Jadeja
3–4 Hours Ago
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3h ago: Tea: India lead swells
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3h ago: Record required
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3h ago: Rohit watches on
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3h ago: Jadeja survives
4–5 Hours Ago
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4h ago: England hold onto one
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4h ago: Time for spin
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4h ago: Six drops!
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4h ago: No mistake this time
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4h ago: Another chance down!
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4h ago: India lead by 200
5–6 Hours Ago
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5h ago: Death by a thousand cuts
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5h ago: Jaiswal’s bookends
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5h ago: Can’t stand the capital
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5h ago: Gill’s new benchmark
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5h ago: Gill gone!
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5h ago: When will England turn to spin?
6–7 Hours Ago
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6h ago: Lunch: India’s morning
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6h ago: Overton strikes
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6h ago: Rolling in the Deep
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6h ago: Deep’s rare feat
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6h ago: 50 for Deep!
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6h ago: Overton’s struggles
7–8 Hours Ago
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7h ago: Deeper and deeper
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7h ago: Deep waters
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7h ago: England’s thin attack
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7h ago: Ashes watch
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7h ago: Deep survives… twice
8–9 Hours Ago
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8h ago: Jaiswal flashes hard
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8h ago: Deep’s free hit
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8h ago: Masala dosas all round?
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8h ago: Super Siraj
9+ Hours Ago
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9h ago: Will England rue their misses?
England’s Fielding Costs Them — 6 Drops in One Day
The story could have been very different if England had held their chances. By Tea, they had dropped six catches — some straightforward, others tough but gettable. Pope, Root, and Bethell were all culprits, with Jadeja and Sundar both benefitting from lifelines early in their innings.
England’s bowlers created chances, but the fielding unit let them down. On flat pitches, every missed opportunity hurts double — and on Day 4, it may have cost England close to 100 additional runs. The frustration was visible in the body language of the fielders and even skipper Stokes on the boundary line.
Overton’s Wickets Come at a Cost
Jamie Overton was England’s best bowler in terms of wickets, but he lacked control. He struck early by removing Gill and returned to break other stands, including Sundar and Deep. However, he also conceded over 4.5 runs per over — the highest economy among the English seamers.
His use of the short ball became predictable, and Indian batters began using the pace to their advantage. His figures read like a T20 spell — impactful, but expensive. Overton remains a strike bowler, but on Day 4, he lacked support and consistency.
Jaiswal’s Brisk Century Sets the Tone
India’s intent was clear from the first session — they weren’t going to block their way to safety. Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with a fluent century, hitting six boundaries and scoring at over 85 strike rate. His timing was impeccable, and he repeatedly pierced the offside field.
Jaiswal’s knock ensured that England could never build pressure with dot balls. He forced them on the back foot, brought the lead past 100 within the first hour, and kept the momentum ticking. This was his fourth 50+ score in the series, further underlining his dominance.
Akash Deep Adds Grit and Runs with the Bat
India’s tail has contributed throughout the series, and today was no exception. Akash Deep, not known for his batting, played out 56 deliveries and scored 33 runs in a partnership with Jaiswal. He showed technique and temperament, frustrating England further.
Later, he combined with Sundar and Siraj to stretch the innings beyond 470. Every run from the tail pushed the target into a territory where even miracles become improbable. Deep’s contribution may not make headlines — but it significantly shifted the match.
India Rotates Bowlers Smartly – Siraj Starts Strong
With a big score on the board, India could afford to attack. Rohit Sharma gave the new ball to Siraj and Prasidh, and the move paid off. Siraj bowled a fiery first spell and was rewarded with Crawley’s wicket in the final over of the day.
Prasidh kept Duckett tied down with bounce and accuracy. While wickets didn’t fall in bunches, India’s bowlers looked threatening, and with spin yet to be used, the pitch’s wear and tear could come into play on Day 5.
India’s Partnerships Set the Match Apart
No single batter made a century, but India’s second innings featured 10 partnerships over 20 runs, with many between 40–65. It was the ultimate team effort. Each pair absorbed pressure, rotated strike, and added enough to slowly stretch the lead.
This consistency across the order prevented any collapse. England could never build pressure from both ends. Even the 9th wicket stand added 39 runs. Such gritty partnerships are often the hallmark of match-winning Test innings.
England’s Task: Chase 374 on Day 4 – A Historic Ask
At stumps, England were 50/1 — needing 324 more. No team has chased over 350 at The Oval. The pitch is wearing out, India have four quicks and Jadeja waiting, and there’s scoreboard pressure from the first ball. India had the last over wicket of Crawley at the end of Day 3.
England’s best hope lies with Joe Root and Harry Brook, but they’ll need support from a long tail. India are the favorites, but as this series has shown, anything is possible. A tense, high-stakes final day awaits.
