In the decisive fifth Test at The Oval (31 July–4 August 2025), India are firmly in control and on the verge of drawing the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, as they set England a challenging target of 374 runs following a resilient second-innings showing; England ended Day 3 at 50 for 1, still needing 324 runs with nine wickets in hand, making an extraordinary Oval chase all but historic.
India’s final-innings revival was led by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who notched his sixth Test century (118) and fourth against England, often surviving dropped chances, as teammate Akash Deep, drafted in as a nightwatchman, annoyed the hosts with a gritty 66, and Washington Sundar unleashed a swift 53 from just 46 balls including four sixes — building India’s total to 396 . Ravindra Jadeja also added a vital 53 late in the innings, helping India secure a commanding lead and notch a rare feat of having five batsmen scoring over 400 in the away series .
For England, Josh Tongue was the standout bowler, claiming 5/125 to stem India’s lower-order resistance, with support from Gus Atkinson despite fielding lapses that saw at least six catches dropped during India’s innings . The hosts began their chase well, with Ben Duckett unbeaten on 34, but Zak Crawley fell to a brilliant yorker from Mohammed Siraj off the final ball of the day — and with Chris Woakes sidelined by a shoulder injury, England effectively have just eight fit batsmen to chase down what would be the highest successful chase ever at The Oval (previous mark 263 in 1902).
With the series currently 2–1 in England’s favour, this match will determine whether the hosts lift the trophy or India force a dramatic 2–2 draw, a remarkable feat on foreign soil — likely concluding on Day 4 or early Day 5 if weather permits and wickets fall fast.
