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The Oval on a Knife's Edge: Jaiswal's Century Sets Up Blockbuster Series Finale
Day three of the fifth Test at The Oval delivered gripping drama as a magnificent century from Yashasvi Jaiswal and crucial contributions from Akash Deep and Washington Sundar saw India set a daunting target of 365. England's openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, began the chase with intent before Mohammed Siraj struck a late, decisive blow. With England needing 324 runs and India requiring eight wickets, the series decider is perfectly poised for a thrilling final two days.
Day 3 Report: India’s Batsmen Turn the Screw Before England Begin Tense Chase
Guwahati,Assam,India- In a series already brimming with high-stakes moments, Day three at The Oval may just have produced the most pivotal passage of play yet. With England leading the five-match series 2-1, the final Test has swung tantalisingly in India's favour, thanks to a superb second-innings batting performance that has set up a potential series-levelling victory.
Resuming on a precarious overnight total,yesterday, India's batsmen, led by the unflappable Yashasvi Jaiswal, showed the kind of resilience and intent that was sorely missing in their first innings. Jaiswal, whose initial stay at the crease had been brief and unfortunate, authored a magnificent, career-defining 118. He was the anchor of the innings, weathering the best of the English attack and finding the boundary with effortless grace. His century was a true batter's knock on a tricky pitch, the kind of innings that dictates the direction of a match.
While Jaiswal was the hero, he wasn't alone. Unsung heroes emerged to support him. Pacer Akash Deep, promoted up the order as a nightwatchman, played a surprising and aggressive knock, hammering 66 runs from just 94 balls. Later, the late-order hitting of Washington Sundar, who smashed 53 from just 46 deliveries, ensured India's lead swelled to an imposing 364.
The English bowlers toiled hard, with pacer Josh Tongue proving to be the most successful with a well-deserved five-wicket haul. His relentless line and length were a constant threat, and he was ably supported by Gus Atkinson, who added to his first-innings five-for with a further three wickets to finish the innings. But despite their efforts, India’s total of 396 proved to be a formidable one.
With a massive target of 365 to chase and just over two days of play remaining, England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, knew they had to start with a statement. And that's precisely what they did, punishing any loose deliveries and putting on a swift 50-run partnership. The home crowd roared their approval, sensing another classic chase could be on the cards.
However, just as England looked to be settling into their work, India's key strike bowler, Mohammed Siraj, produced a moment of magic. He found the perfect length to beat Crawley's bat and clean him up, sending the Oval crowd into a stunned silence. That wicket, falling just before the close of play, has reignited the hope in the Indian camp and placed immense pressure on the incoming Ollie Pope(c) and the rest of the England batting lineup.
The match is poised on a knife's edge. England still required 324 runs for a historic series win on home soil, while India needed just eight more wickets to level the series. Day four promises to be an absolute humdinger.
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