Did Siraj's Stunning Yorker to Dismiss Crawley Change the Game?

London, Aug 3 (NationPress) Mohammed Siraj delivered a spectacular yorker to dismiss Zak Crawley, leaving England at 50/1 in 13.5 overs at stumps on day three of the fifth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test against India at The Oval. England now requires an additional 324 runs to secure victory in the match and clinch the series.

India showcased dominance throughout most of day three, with Akash Deep impressively scoring 66, marking his first Test fifty, followed by Yashasvi Jaiswal who achieved a remarkable 118, his sixth Test century. Jaiswal’s innings of 118 came off 164 balls, featuring 14 fours and two sixes, and held special significance as it occurred in front of his family, including his parents and elder brother, as well as India's ODI captain Rohit Sharma, who was present at the venue.

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar also contributed significantly, both scoring 53 runs each, enabling the visitors to reach a total of 396 in their second innings over 88 overs. On the English side, Josh Tongue took 5-125, while Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton claimed 3-127 and 2-98 respectively. In their chase of 374 to secure a 3-1 series victory, England successfully navigated the last hour, with Ben Duckett remaining unbeaten on 34.

However, Siraj's dismissal of Crawley for 14, outsmarting the batter with a short ball field setup just as stumps were called, provided India with a vital boost ahead of a crucial day four. Siraj is currently tied as the leading wicket-taker in the series alongside Tongue, making him a pivotal player for India as they aim to level the series 2-2.

Earlier in the day, fireworks were largely provided by Akash, who was dropped on 21, and managed to hit his maiden international half-century, embellished with 12 boundaries, before being dismissed by Jamie Overton. Akash had exceeded expectations in his role as a nightwatchman, forming a significant 107-run partnership with Jaiswal.

Akash, who joined the game late on day two, quickly found his rhythm, striking Jacob Bethell for a boundary, and followed it up with another off Atkinson. He and Jaiswal each scored off Tongue before Akash survived an lbw appeal and was fortunate enough to see Crawley drop his catch at third slip.

Jaiswal welcomed Overton with an upper-cut over the slips for four, while Akash dispatched Atkinson with three easy boundaries. He then swatted Atkinson for a leg-side boundary, achieving his maiden Test half-century, celebrated with a fist pump and a gesture towards the India crest on his jersey as his teammates applauded, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was visibly pleased.

England's frustration mounted as Akash hit two more boundaries off Overton, and then struck Tongue for another boundary. Just before lunch, Akash’s enjoyable streak ended; attempting to send Overton's short ball to the leg-side, he was caught at backward point. Shubman Gill joined the fray to showcase a couple of exquisite strokes before the lunch break.

The afternoon session commenced with a bang for England when Atkinson bowled a sharp nip-backer that trapped Gill lbw. Gill reviewed the decision but found no edge, departing for 11. Jaiswal reached his fourth century against England and his second in this series with a swift single through backward point.

However, Karun Nair struggled at the crease and failed to capitalize on a dropped catch in slips, ultimately being dismissed after nicking behind to Jamie Smith off Atkinson's delivery.

Jaiswal and Jadeja continued to accumulate runs quickly until Jadeja’s innings ended when his ramp shot was caught at backward point off Overton. England thought they had Jadeja lbw when Tongue hit him on the boot, but he successfully overturned the decision upon review. With Dhruv Jurel contributing three well-timed boundaries, India approached tea without further damage.

The final session began with India extending their lead past 330, but Overton trapped Jurel lbw for 34. Jadeja notched his fifth fifty of the series by driving Tongue through backward point for four, before edging to second slip off the pacer. Shortly after, a fired-up Tongue trapped Siraj lbw.

Sundar then initiated his aggressive play, hitting Atkinson over midwicket for six, followed by two more sixes off Tongue. The all-rounder cut and pulled Atkinson for back-to-back boundaries, eventually reaching his fifth Test fifty from just 39 balls with a six over midwicket.

In an attempt to hit another six off Tongue, Sundar skied a catch to the leg side, where Crawley managed to hold on despite colliding with Ollie Pope, allowing Tongue to complete his five-wicket haul.

As in the first innings, Crawley and Duckett (34 not out) began with a brisk start as India opted to introduce Prasidh Krishna to share the new ball with Akash instead of Siraj. Other than a few deliveries from Akash that exhibited extra bounce, England faced little trouble, with the Indian bowlers lacking seam movement.

Duckett began with effortless boundaries through flicks whenever Prasidh bowled fuller. Crawley scored four runs each off Akash and Prasidh before Duckett drove and slashed Siraj for boundaries. After a maiden from Siraj, Crawley faced 18 consecutive dot balls before breaking free with a single.

As stumps approached, the opening partnership crossed 50 runs, and it appeared England had successfully navigated the day unscathed. Yet, Siraj produced a magnificent inswinging yorker that breached Crawley’s defenses, striking the off-stump and ending the day with a spectacular moment for India, who firmly believe they can win and equal the series at 2-2.

Brief Scores: India 224 and 396 in 88 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 118, Akash Deep 66; Josh Tongue 5-125, Gus Atkinson 3-127) lead England 247 and 50/1 in 13.5 overs (Ben Duckett 34 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1-11) by 324 runs