India took complete control of the fifth and final Test on Day 3 at The Oval, thanks to a monumental batting performance that built on the dramatic momentum of the previous day. While England had a slender 23-run first-innings lead, India’s batsmen, led by a magnificent century from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a crucial half-century from nightwatchman Akash Deep, completely turned the tables. By the end of the day’s play, India had a commanding lead, having not only erased the deficit but also put up a formidable total that has left England facing a monumental, potentially record-breaking, fourth-innings chase.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s heroic ton puts India in driver’s seat
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the star of the show on Day 3, continuing his overnight brilliance to score a dominant and series-defining century. Resuming at 51, the young left-hander played with a perfect blend of aggression and composure, reaching his sixth Test century off just 127 balls. This was Jaiswal’s second hundred of the series, and his fourth against England overall, a remarkable achievement that places him alongside greats like Sunil Gavaskar for the most centuries against England by an Indian opener.
Jaiswal innings was vital in establishing India’s control, as he stitched together a crucial 107-run partnership with nightwatchman Akash Deep. Jaiswal’s knock of 118 eventually came to an end when he was caught at deep backward point, but not before he had put India in a commanding position. His performance was particularly impactful as it came after he had been given two lifelines on Day 2, with England dropping him twice.
India’s dominance on Day 3 was a collective effort that has shifted the balance of the match and series entirely in their favor. The day began with a brilliant partnership between Jaiswal and nightwatchman Akash Deep, who played a memorable innings to score his maiden Test half-century. Akash Deep’s 66 off 94 balls was a gutsy performance that not only frustrated the English bowlers but also put India on the path to a substantial total. Although England managed to take wickets in the second session, including the dismissals of Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, and eventually Jaiswal, the tail-enders continued to frustrate them. With the help of important contributions from Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel, India’s lead extended beyond 280 runs by Tea. With the pitch beginning to show signs of variable bounce, England’s chances of winning the Test and the series now rest on an unprecedented fourth-innings performance.
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Top 5 highest successful run chases at the Oval
The Oval in London has a rich history of Test cricket, but it is not a ground known for easy fourth-innings chases. In its long history, a target of over 200 has been successfully chased on only a handful of occasions. These instances are a testament to some of the most thrilling and memorable Test matches ever played, with individual brilliance and nerve-wracking finishes defining each of them. Here is a detailed look at the five highest successful run chases at this iconic venue.
5. Sri Lanka vs England (2024)
The most recent entry on this list came in 2024, when Sri Lanka completed a successful chase of 219 runs to beat England by eight wickets. Despite a century from Ollie Pope in England’s first innings, Sri Lanka remained in the contest. A century from opener Pathum Nissanka proved to be the decisive factor in the fourth innings. He played a scintillating innings, guiding his team to victory with a composed and well-timed hundred. The win marked Sri Lanka’s highest successful run chase in England by an Asian team and highlighted the changing dynamics of Test cricket, where even challenging targets are not insurmountable against the right mindset and batting performance.
4. West Indies vs England (1988)
The West Indies’ dominance of the late 1980s was on full display in this match, as they easily chased down a target of 226 runs with eight wickets to spare. A low-scoring first innings left the match evenly poised, but England’s second-innings total of 202 was not enough to challenge the powerful West Indian batting. Opening duo Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes dismantled the English attack, both scoring 77 runs each in a commanding 131-run partnership. Their relentless strokeplay and masterful control ensured a swift victory, cementing the West Indies’ place as one of the most feared teams in Test cricket.
3. Australia vs England (1972)
In the final Test of the 1972 Ashes series, Australia chased down a target of 242 runs to secure a five-wicket win. After a high-scoring first half of the match, where both teams registered totals over 280, England were bowled out for 356 in their second innings, setting a challenging target for Australia. Opener Keith Stackpole was the hero of the chase, scoring a solid 79 that set the tone for the innings. Despite a mid-innings wobble, crucial contributions from Paul Sheahan and an aggressive cameo from Rod Marsh (43 off 51 balls) guided Australia home. The victory ensured the series ended in a hard-fought draw.
2. West Indies vs England (1963)
The West Indies secured a remarkable eight-wicket victory over England in 1963 after chasing down a target of 253 runs. The match was a gripping contest, with both teams exchanging blows. After bowling England out for 223 in their second innings, the West Indies’ openers were tasked with a daunting chase. The foundation was laid by a dominant 78-run opening partnership between Willie Rodriguez and Conrad Hunte. However, it was Conrad Hunte who stole the show, batting with remarkable poise to score a magnificent unbeaten century. His innings, a masterclass of controlled aggression, ensured the West Indies reached the target with eight wickets in hand, a testament to the quality of their batting lineup.
1. England vs Australia (1902)
This match remains the record holder for the highest successful run chase at The Oval. In a timeless Ashes encounter, England, set a target of 263, battled to a thrilling one-wicket victory. The match was a low-scoring affair, with Australia posting 324 and 121 in their two innings, while England were bowled out for 183 in their first. The chase saw England’s top order collapse to 48/5, leaving them in a dire position. However, the legendary Gilbert Jessop played one of the greatest Test innings of all time, smashing a century off just 77 balls with a breathtaking display of aggressive batting. His hundred, alongside a gritty unbeaten fifty from George Hirst, powered England to an improbable victory that still stands as the highest chase at the venue after more than a century.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Akash Deep joins elite list – Top 5 highest scores by a night-watchman for India in Tests since 2000
