India finished the third day of the final Test at The Oval with a strong 323-run lead over England, setting up a tense battle for the remaining two days. After Yashasvi Jaiswal’s composed 118 guided the visitors to 396 in their second innings, England were left chasing 374 for victory. Mohammed Siraj struck with the last ball of the day, bowling Zak Crawley to leave the hosts at 50 for 1.
India remain favourites to win and draw the series, but England will take heart from their successful chase of 373 for 5 in the first Test and will believe they can repeat the feat, which would be the highest successful run chase at this ground.
The morning session belonged to India as Jaiswal and nightwatchman Akash Deep put on a determined century stand under cloudy skies, frustrating England’s attack. England’s bowlers looked short of ideas and their fielders continued to drop chances. Just before lunch, Jamie Overton removed Deep for 66 with a sharply rising delivery, but England’s mood stayed flat.
The hosts struck early after lunch when captain Shubman Gill was trapped lbw by Gus Atkinson for 11, losing his review in the process. Karun Nair was then struck painfully on the hand by the next ball, sparking some life in England and their supporters. Jaiswal reached his sixth Test hundred with calm assurance before Nair fell for 17, edging Atkinson to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Ben Duckett spilled a tough leg slip chance to dismiss Jaiswal, England’s sixth drop of the innings, before the opener finally departed, cutting Josh Tongue to deep backward point. “I enjoyed it,” Jaiswal said. “I kept talking to myself, enjoying the pressure and focusing on helping my team.”
Ravindra Jadeja once again proved difficult to dismiss, passing fifty for the fifth time in the series before edging Tongue to Harry Brook at second slip. Tongue struck again in the same over, trapping Siraj lbw, although replays showed the ball had brushed his bat. With no reviews left, Siraj had to walk off.