England suffered a late blow on the third day of the fifth Test at The Oval, with Zak Crawley dismissed by Mohammed Siraj's yorker for a duck. The hosts ended the day on 50 for one, needing a further 324 runs to win and level the series at 2-2.
India set England a target of 374 after declaring on 396 all out, built on Yashasvi Jaiswal's 118 and a remarkable 66 from nightwatchman Akash Deep. Washington Sundar added a quickfire 53 off 46 balls, including four sixes, to push the lead beyond reach.
England's chase faces further obstacles: Chris Woakes is unlikely to bat after dislocating his shoulder, and Ben Duckett's hand is bruised after a blow from Prasidh Krishna. The highest successful run chase at The Oval is 263, achieved by England against Australia in 1902.
Josh Tongue took five for 125 for England, but dropped catches—six in total—hampered their efforts. Jaiswal was reprieved twice on the second evening before falling to Tongue, while Deep was dropped by Crawley on 21.
India's use of the heavy roller early on day three subdued the pitch, which had seen 21 wickets in the first two days. Ravindra Jadeja also contributed a 77-ball 53, continuing his series form.
