London, UK — India is firmly in the driver’s seat after a thrilling third day of the Test match at Kennington Oval, leaving England with a daunting target of 374 runs and only one wicket down. A brilliant yorker from Mohammed Siraj rattled the stumps of England opener Zak Crawley just before the close of play, providing India with a crucial breakthrough. At the end of Day 3, England stood at 50/1, with Ben Duckett not out on 34.
Chasing what would be their second-highest successful run chase in Test history, Crawley and Duckett started with an aggressive approach. However, their 50-run opening partnership was broken by Siraj’s fiery spell, which caught Crawley off guard with a searing yorker after he had been expecting a bouncer. Crawley’s dismissal for 14 brought an end to the day’s play.
Earlier in the day, India’s lower order provided some explosive entertainment. After Dhruv Jurel was trapped leg before wicket for 34, Ravindra Jadeja scored a valiant half-century. His celebration, a trademark ‘sword’ flourish, was cut short when he was caught in the slips for 53 off the bowling of Josh Tongue. Siraj also fell to Tongue in the same over, a decision that stood despite replays showing an inside edge, as India had no reviews left.
With India’s back against the wall, Washington Sundar stepped up. The tailender unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes, bringing up a blistering half-century. His powerful hitting included a towering maximum off Gus Atkinson and two more sixes off Tongue. Sundar’s run-fest was eventually ended by Tongue, who completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing the aggressive batsman for 53. India’s innings concluded at 396 runs.
The second session saw opener Yashasvi Jaiswal carry on his excellent form from the previous day. Resuming at 85, he completed a magnificent century. However, wickets fell around him as Shubman Gill (11) and Karun Nair (17) were dismissed by Gus Atkinson. After Jaiswal was out for 118, Jadeja and Jurel built a solid partnership to take India past the 300-run mark.
India had started the day at 75/2, with Jaiswal (51*) and night-watchman Akash Deep (4*) at the crease. Jaiswal and Deep formed a crucial 50-run partnership for the third wicket. Deep, in his maiden Test, also reached his first half-century. This series has been notable for its partnerships, with this being the 18th hundred-run stand, a record for a Test series this century.
For England, Gus Atkinson was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/99, while Josh Tongue took an impressive five-wicket haul, ending with 5/125. Jamie Overton also contributed with one wicket.
Brief Scores:
India: 224 & 396 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 118, Akash Deep 66; Josh Tongue 5-125) England: 247 & 50/1 (Ben Duckett 38*; Mohammed Siraj 1-11)