In a remarkable display of resilience and strategic batting, nightwatchman Akash Deep’s maiden Test half-century alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal’s composed innings significantly bolstered India’s position against England on day three of the fifth Test at The Oval.

The duo’s brilliant partnership pushed India’s lead to a formidable 166 runs by lunch, setting a strong foundation for the remainder of the match. Deep’s unexpected heroics and Jaiswal’s steadfast support proved pivotal in consolidating India’s advantage in this crucial encounter.

Akash Deep, typically an unlikely batting hero, notched a career-best 66 runs, marking his first-ever half-century in Test cricket. His innings was characterized by confident strokes and an aggressive yet calculated approach, truly embodying the spirit of a ‘nightwatchman’ turned aggressor.

Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had impressed with his attacking flair on Friday evening, seamlessly transitioned into an anchor role. Moving from an overnight score of 51 to 85, Jaiswal provided the stability needed, allowing Deep the freedom to express himself and accelerate the scoring rate for India.

Under a bright sun, the pitch at The Oval, which had offered considerable assistance to bowlers in the preceding days, appeared to flatten out, favoring the batsmen. England’s depleted seam attack struggled to find rhythm and penetration, becoming increasingly ineffective as the older ball lost its shine and potency.

Before his dismissal, Deep survived a couple of anxious moments, including a close umpire’s call on an LBW appeal and a dropped catch by Zak Crawley at third slip when on 21 – Crawley’s second error of the innings. The dramatic Oval lights illuminated his path as his ninth boundary brought up his jubilant fifty, celebrated with pumped fists and applause from the Indian dressing room, even drawing a rare smile from coach Gautam Gambhir.

The exhilarating fun for Deep concluded just minutes before lunch when he hooked a bouncer, only to loop it to backward point, giving Jamie Overton, playing his first Test in three years, his inaugural wicket of the match. Despite this setback, Jaiswal continued to bat with composure, deftly steering boundary balls wide of the slips off Josh Tongue and cutting Jamie Overton to the fence, ensuring India maintained its momentum.