By Ravi - Aug 03, 2025 04:46 PM
When India's first innings ended at 224 runs in the Oval Test, it seemed as if the match had slipped out of Team India's hands. Well, the weather changed and the Indian bowlers allowed England to take a lead of only 23 runs. Now the English team has got a target of 374 runs, in response to which Ben Duckett and Jack Crowley gave England a steady start by sharing 50 runs. But the question is, will England be able to chase this huge target? Actually, statistics show that a target of 300 runs has never been achieved on the Oval ground. If England is able to do so, it will be a historic moment.
The biggest run chase ever on the Oval ground in Test cricket is just 263 runs, which England achieved against Australia in 1902. Today that match is 123 years old. In 1963, West Indies achieved a target of 252 runs against England. Four scores in the top-5 list of the biggest run chases on the Oval ground are from the 20th century. The biggest run chase ever on the Oval ground in the 21st century came in 2024, when Sri Lanka defeated England while chasing a target of 219 runs.
In Test cricket, a target of more than 263 runs has never been achieved at the Oval ground. The Indian team has set a target of 111 runs more than this for England. If the statistics are to be believed, now only a miracle can save England from defeat, but it is also worth noting that the poor bowling style of the England team can become a problem for Team India.
This is India's 16th Test match at the Oval ground. If they defeat England, it will be Team India's third victory here. Earlier, India had won the Test match here in 1971 and 2021.
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