Ind vs Eng 5th Test Day 4 preview: Cook eyes ton in his swansong innings
At the close of play on Day 3, England were 114/2, with a lead of 154 runs and 8 wickets in hands
 "Ind vs Eng 5th Test Day 1: Cook, Jennings give hosts solid start at Oval")
On Day 4, Indian bowlers will look to put a spirited performance one last time in the 5th and final match of Specsavers Test series at The Kia Oval in London. For his part, English opener Alastair Cook, playing the final innings of his international career, would look to make the game memorable by hitting his 33rd hundred. At Stumps on Day 3, the Oval did break into raptures as Cook walked back undefeated.
For the English fan, this match is special not only because it is the swansong international appearance for their hero, but also because their team is leading 3-1 in the test series and looking to close it handsomely with a 4-1 win. And, England seem right course, leading by 154 runs with 8 wickets in hand.
In the morning of the third day, England were pushed to the limits as Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari batted out of their skins. But England still ended up with a lead of 40. And from there on, they have managed to battle India's pace trio to sneak well ahead in this game.
Ravindra Jadeja's 86 helped India emerge from the ruins
Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 86 helped India narrow the gap on the third day of the fifth Test as India finished their first innings at 292, conceding a 40-run lead. The left-hander faced 156 balls and hit 11 fours and a six. After lunch, India tried to extend their innings as long as possible. But Ishant Sharma (4) fell in the fourth over after the break, caught behind off Moeen Ali (2-50). At the other end, Adil Rashid (1-19) dismissed Mohammed Shami (1) who again tried to hit out instead of putting a price on his wicket.
The innings of Jasprit Bumrah (0) was hardly better. But he batted 14 deliveries, allowing Jadeja to smash the ball around. In doing so, he put on 32 runs for the tenth and final wicket. Jadeja reached his ninth Test half-century off 113 balls, after India crossed 250 in the 84th over. England were so flustered that they took the new ball in hope of dismissing the last wicket quickly.
But Jadeja had different plan, he abstained from taking singles of first 3 balls of an over and when boundary riders were brought in to save the singles, Jadeja used the long handle to get the most from an over. He did manage to to take singles off the last ball in 3 consecutive overs. The partnership, and India's innings, ended with a run-out in the 95th over, though Jadeja finished unbeaten. Check Oval Test Day 3 highlights here