At the end of day 2, India was 72 for 2. Just before the final overs, Sudarshan got out, and Akashdeep came as a night watchman. The moment he stepped onto the ground, flashbacks of Lord’s coming back into the mind. But this time, he came prepared and determined.
To give rest to the seamers, England captain Pope changed the bowling, and Jacob Bethell came in for his first over. Akashdeep’s confidence was boosted the moment he saw an off-spinner, and that stroke he played set the tone for India.
Akashdeep’s maiden 50 bamboozled England
Nobody would have thought that Akashdeep would play like a hero, and Jaiswal to play a side role. On day 2, Jaiswal was playing his natural game, which is attacking, and Akashdeep was there to protect his wicket. But, on the morning of day 3, the scene is reversed.
Akashdeep was playing like a proper batter, and not a night watchman. He went berserk from the first ball. He hit 12 fours in his outrageous knock of 66 runs. It shows that he has the ability to bat when needed. He played all the types of shots, which you expect only from a top-order or middle-order batter.
His 66-run knock gave India a perfect foundation to play all day and take the lead by 350+ runs. Deep’s maturity and determination give freedom to Jaiswal and play his natural game. This is the 2nd fifty-plus score for India as a night watchman after 2011. Amit Mishra scored 84, that too against the same opposition and at the same venue.
Jaiswal Anchors Again: A Knock of Patience, Precision, and Purpose
Jaiswal continues to exhibit a level of composure and tactical awareness that belies his age. Entering the crease at a precarious juncture, the early collapse of the top order and a shift in momentum towards England. He demonstrated both technical proficiency and resilience. His approach was marked by an ability to rotate the strike efficiently and absorb pressure. He provided much-needed stability to the innings before gradually accelerating the scoring rate.
Perhaps most noteworthy was his partnership-building with Akash Deep. Jaiswal’s guidance was evident through measured communication, shot selection, and a confident presence at the crease. The qualities that not only reinforced the team’s position during a critical phase. Consistent with his performances throughout the 2025 season, Jaiswal’s innings were not characterized by extravagant stroke-play but by a methodical accumulation of runs and astute game management.
Such attributes cement his emerging status as the backbone of India’s red-ball batting lineup. Jaiswal’s ability to shepherd both established and inexperienced players evokes his incoming greatness. He scored his 6th test hundred, 4th against England, and 2nd of the series. His latest performance further solidifies his reputation as a reliable Test batsman, adept at navigating high-pressure situations with maturity and clarity.
A historic partnership that broke the 22-year-old record
The spirited 107-run partnership not only frustrated the hosts but also swung the Test match in India’s favour. It was the 18th hundred partnership of the series, the highest in a series. Surpassing the 17-hundred partnership in BGT 2003-04.
During the last session of day 2, Jaiswal took charge as the aggressor, helping to fast-track the scoring, while Akash Deep sorted himself out at the other end. However, on the morning of day 3, the situation changed and roles were reversed.
Jaiswal began to rotate the strike, giving Akash Deep a fair few deliveries, clearly building trust in Akash Deep’s ability and hopefully instilling confidence in him. The trust of the established batter allowed Akash Deep to find rhythm and stability at the crease. Once a few loose ones came along, he began taking his chances and looking more sure of himself.
Throughout their partnership, which added just over 100 runs with the bat, the England bowlers appeared to lose energy. Therefore, the atmosphere of the match swung massively in India’s favour. What looked to be a potential 250-run lead turned into a 350+ run lead; they were clearly on the back foot mentally. This fightback was not exactly textbook style. It has tactical flexibility, attacking approach, trust in a partner, and resilience.
Baishali Karmakar
[…] Jaiswal’s ton was India’s 12th century in the ongoing Anderson Tendulkar trophy, breaking their series set against the West Indies in 1978. This is now the third-highest total number of individual centuries in a test series by a team trailing only Australia and the West Indies, who hold the record with 21 in a 1955 series. This landmark showcases the incredible consistency and dominance of Indian batters throughout the five-match series. […]