The final Test of the five-match series between India and England is well-poised after two days of play at the Oval in London.
With the series on the line, Surrey offered a green top wicket for the first time in the series and the Indian batters struggled to get going; only Karun Nair managed to score a fifty as the visitors were bowled out for 224.
Gus Atkinson took a five-wicket haul on his Test return before England openers gave them a swashbuckling start of 92 runs in 12.5 overs.
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England eventually tapered off and could only manage a 23-run lead, courtesy of Zak Crawley's 64 and Harry Brook's 53. For India, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj took four wickets each.
By the end of Day 2, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a quick-fire 51*(49) to put India in front by 52 runs at 75/2.
As India looks to put up a big total on the board to finish the series 2-2, TSN takes a look at the highest totals chased by England at the Kennington Oval.
What are the highest totals chased by England at the Oval?
England's highest chase at the Oval came over a century ago in 1902, when they chased 263 against arch-rivals Australia.
The Englishmen have not chased over 200 at the venue since 1994, i.e., 31 years.
READ MORE: What is the highest successful run chase in Test matches at the Kennington Oval, London?
| Opposition | Target chased | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 263 | 1902 |
| South Africa | 204 | 1994 |
| South Africa | 197 | 2008 |
| South Africa | 163 | 1951 |
| West Indies | 143 | 1991 |
| New Zealand | 138 | 1969 |
| New Zealand | 138 | 1978 |
| Australia | 132 | 1953 |
| South Africa | 130 | 2022 |
| South Africa | 110 | 2003 |
What is England's highest chase at the Oval under Bazball?
England has only successfully chased once at the Oval since Brendon McCullum took over as their head coach in Tests in 2022.
They chased 130 runs against South Africa in 2022 to win the three-match Test series by 2-1.
Ollie Robinson was the Player of the Match for 5/49 and 2/40 in the two innings, respectively. Stuart Broad also picked 7 wickets in the match to dismiss the Proteas for 118 and 169 in the two innings.
READ MORE: Lower order collapses by India in IND vs ENG Test series listed
Ollie Pope scored 67(77) in the first innings to give them a 40-run lead, and Zak Crawley scored 69*(57) in the run chase that lasted 22.3 overs.
| Opposition | Target chased | Year |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 130 | 2022 |