The Oval has been a special venue for Indian cricket. Not just for its history but for how the Mumbai batters have played in India's rare Test wins here.
In both of India's previous wins at The Oval (in 1971 and 2021), it was a Mumbaikar who top-scored in the second innings. Ajit Wadekar in the former and Rohit Sharma in the latter.
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Now as India look to script a comeback win in the ongoing fifth Test, all eyes are on Yashasvi Jaiswal - yet another Mumbai talent who is already the top-scorer of India's second innings at the time of this writing.
With three days left and the match evenly poised, Jaiswal's unbeaten half-century could hold the key to India's hopes.
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India's historic Test wins at The Oval: 1971 and 2021
India have won just two Tests at The Oval out of 14: one in 1971 and the other in 2021. On both occasions - the team overcame first-innings deficits with second-innings knocks from Mumbai batters.
Wadekar's 45 in the second innings helped India chase down a modest target in 1971 - securing their first-ever series win in England.
Fifty years later, Rohit Sharma's 127 in the second innings flipped a 99-run deficit into a famous win. That match, too, shifted dramatically after India's bowlers brought the side back into contention.
Yashavi Jaiswal leads the charge in 2nd innings of 5th Test against England
In the ongoing Test, England initially looked in control after bowling India out for 224 and racing to 92 without loss. But a stunning bowling fightback - led by Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj kept England's lead to just 23 runs.
India responded with intent. At stumps on Day 2, Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 51 off just 49 balls - giving India a slender 52-run lead.
His counterattacking approach - much like Rohit's in 2021 has reignited Indian hopes. Whether he can convert it into a match-defining knock remains the big question.