London, August 2, 2025 – Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar produced commanding performances to put India in a dominant position on Day 3 of the final Test at The Oval, as the visitors set England a daunting target in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the series.
India began the day with a narrow 52-run lead, and Jaiswal was already well settled at the crease. The morning session saw an unexpected but entertaining twist, as nightwatchman Akash Deep stunned the hosts with a career-best 66, building a 107-run partnership with Jaiswal – the highest of the match. Their stand gave India the early control and put England on the defensive.
Jaiswal, who has been in sublime form throughout the series, continued his dominance. Despite England’s pacers mounting a strong comeback after lunch — with Gus Atkinson removing Shubman Gill and Karun Nair in quick succession — Jaiswal held firm. He punished the bowlers for their missed opportunities and notched his sixth Test century in fine style. Although Josh Tongue eventually removed Jaiswal with a deceptive short ball, the damage had been done.
Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel ensured the innings stayed on course, guiding India to a lead well beyond 300. After Jurel was dismissed, Jadeja added a gritty fifty before falling to Tongue, who was England’s standout bowler.
Just when India seemed to be wrapping up their innings, Washington Sundar exploded with the bat. Sundar’s counter-attack included four sixes and two boundaries, helping him register a quick half-century. With intelligent shot selection and aggressive intent, Sundar single-handedly stretched India’s lead to 374 runs before Tongue, claiming his fifth wicket, finally dismissed him. Sundar’s impactful innings might prove decisive as the Test enters its final phase.
Tongue’s five-wicket haul took his series tally to 19 wickets — the most for any English bowler this series. Still, the day belonged to India.
In the final moments of play, England openers tried to settle in, but Zak Crawley fell to a searing yorker by Mohammed Siraj on the very last ball of the day. As Day 4 looms, Jaiswal and Sundar’s heroics have firmly put India in the driver’s seat.