During the final over of Day 3 at The Oval, Zak Crawley tried to delay play again, but Shubman Gill responded differently than he had at Lord’s.
Siraj’s Crucial Strike Keeps India in Command at The Oval
Mohammed Siraj delivered a searing yorker to dismantle Zak Crawley’s stumps, ending Day 3 with India firmly in control at The Oval. England, chasing a challenging target of 374 runs, closed the day at 50/1—still trailing by 324 runs with two full days remaining. While Ben Duckett remained unbeaten on 34, Siraj’s late breakthrough ensured the pressure stayed firmly on the hosts.
In the final over of the day, Zak Crawley appeared to employ his familiar delay tactics, backing away just as Siraj charged in. This time, however, Shubman Gill at slip responded with a knowing smirk and chose restraint over confrontation. Unlike the heated exchange earlier in the series at Lord’s—when Zak Crawley’s time-wasting had visibly agitated Gill and riled up the Indian side—this moment passed in silence, marked only by Gill’s quiet grin.
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Crawley tried an old trick, Captain Gill, however, answered with a smile 😊 #SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/4UOOftok5M
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025
Only three balls after Crawley’s dismissal, India’s captain and Mohammed Siraj executed a brilliant plan. Setting the field for a short-pitch delivery, Siraj cleverly bowled a yorker instead. Crawley was caught off guard by the fuller length and failed to adjust his bat in time, resulting in his dismissal.
Earlier, Zak Crawley and Duckett started positively, racing to a 50-run partnership. That dramatic finish to Day 3 sets up a tense Day 4 as England chase their second-highest target in Test history.
India’s innings earlier in the day was bolstered by a powerful counterattack from Washington Sundar and a composed fifty from Ravindra Jadeja. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep had earlier combined for a blistering 107-run partnership for the third wicket. After Jadeja’s dismissal at second slip for 53, Sundar electrified the Oval with a whirlwind 53 off 46 balls, smashing boundaries and three towering sixes that thrilled the crowd.
India resumed the day at 189/4 after lunch, with Shubman Gill falling to Gus Atkinson’s first ball. Jaiswal steadied the innings, reaching a well-deserved century with a precise shot through point. His 118 was the backbone of India’s total, though his dismissal sparked a mini-collapse. Quick wickets from Karun Nair and Gill followed, but a brisk partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel pushed India past 300 before tea, keeping momentum firmly in their favor.