(Image source from: x.com/BCCI)

Ravindra Jadeja, known as 'SIR' for a good reason. The top all-rounder in Test cricket made history on Saturday with a crucial half-century against England at The Oval. Jadeja achieved his sixth score of fifty or more in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, making him the first batsman to reach this milestone in a Test series between India and England. Additionally, he surpassed 500 runs in the series and became India's third-highest run scorer, following Captain Shubman Gill (754 runs) and KL Rahul (532 runs). After Akash Deep's fifty and Yashavi Jaiswal's hundred, it was Jadeja who effectively faced the English bowlers. During his impressive 77 balls at the crease, Jadeja struck seven boundaries to score 53 runs before being dismissed by Josh Tounge. In the 82nd over, his bat went up high after hitting a boundary, but Tounge returned in the 84th over to finish off Jadeja's innings. The left-handed batter edged the ball to Harry Brook and headed back after passing on the challenge to Washington Sundar.

As Ravindra Jadeja (53) and Mohammed Siraj were quickly dismissed, the focus turned to Sundar, who took it upon himself to help India exceed 350 runs. He not only defended well—he started to attack. At the end of the 84th over, Sundar had a careful 17 runs from 23 balls. But in the next 23 balls, he switched gears, speeding to 53 with four sixes and four fours. The momentum had shifted clearly in India's favor. However, just as the excitement was building, Sundar mishit a shot off Josh Tongue and got caught, ending a thrilling innings. With his out, India was all out for 396 in their second innings, leaving England with a target of 374 runs to win.