Left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal starred with the bat for India in the second innings of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval.

Jaiswal slammed 118 off 164 deliveries, with 14 boundaries and two sixes. It was sixth hundred in the Test format and fourth against England.

Akash Deep (66), Ravindra Jadeja (53) and Washington Sundar (53) also produced valuable half-centuries as the visitors posted 396/10 in their second innings, setting an imposing target of 374 for England.  

The hosts ended the third day at 50/1, needing 324 more runs for an improbable win. Since Chris Woakes won’t come out to bat due to shoulder injury, India need 8 more wickets to register a series-clinching victory at The Oval.

Addressing the media after the day's play, a visibly confident Jaiswal said, “It was a spicy wicket, I was enjoying batting here. I knew what shots to play on this surface. Mentally, I was ready to keep pushing in our last innings here. I was trying to be positive and show intent. My mentality is always like that.”

He added, “I wanted to do more, make my innings bigger than that. Mentality is to go out there and fight.”

Reflecting on his 107-run partnership with night watchman Akash Deep, Jaiswal remarked, “He batted really well. We wanted him to play as long as he can.”

When asked about Rohit Sharma's presence in the stands, the southpaw said, “I saw him, and he gave me a message to keep playing.”

Jaiswal also acknowledged the influence of seniors like Rohit, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill.

“Different challenges of playing Tests in different countries, but learnt a lot from my seniors like Rohit bhai, Virat bhai. Now KL bhai, Gill. It’s amazing to discuss with them, and learn from their experiences.”

Jaiswal was confident about India’s chances of victory at The Oval. “There is movement off the wicket, will not be easy. We are quite confident to win,” he said.