The pivotal fifth Test between England and India at the Oval has reached a critical juncture on Day 4, with India on the cusp of leveling the series. England, after losing Zak Crawley to a stunning Mohammed Siraj yorker on the final ball of Day 3, faces a daunting chase of 374 runs to win the match and secure a 3-1 series victory.
India ended day 3 in a dominating position, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal's sublime century. He scored 118 runs, marking his second hundred of the series. Key contributions from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who both scored half-centuries, helped India reach 396 in their second innings.
England closed Day 3 at 50/1, still needing 324 runs. Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 34. The highest successful chase at the Oval is 263, achieved by England against Australia way back in 1902. Only six times has a target over 200 been chased at the Oval.
India's Yashasvi Jaiswal has expressed confidence in his team's ability to defend the target. He emphasized the importance of focusing on their process and bowling in the right areas.
England's chase began nervously, with Mohammed Siraj dismissing Zak Crawley for 14 with a perfect yorker. Shubman Gill, despite a modest score in the innings, has had a remarkable series, amassing 754 runs.
India's Shubman Gill finished the series with 754 runs, just 20 short of Gavaskar's record of 774. Gavaskar said that Gill's 754 runs were far better than what he had achieved in 1971, because Gill had the added responsibility of being captain.
England's bowling attack has been hampered by the absence of Chris Woakes, who is suffering from a shoulder injury. With Woakes potentially unable to bat, India might only need to take 8 wickets to win.
India's momentum shifted when Mohammed Siraj bowled Zak Crawley with a perfect yorker. Shubman Gill's captaincy and tactical setup also played a role in the dismissal.
The conditions at the Oval are expected to favor the Indian seamers, with a green top and overcast skies providing assistance. The variable bounce in the wicket is also expected to challenge the English batters.
As Day 4 begins, all eyes will be on whether England can defy history and chase down the imposing target, or if India's bowlers can exploit the conditions and level the series.
