India’s dramatic six-run victory over England at The Oval on Monday provided the perfect climax to a fiercely contested Test series. The result ensured a 2-2 draw and underlined the timeless drama of red-day cricket.

At the heart of India’s victory was 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The left-hander, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, struck a match-winning 118 in the second innings, helping India overturn a first-innings deficit of 23 to set England a target of 374 to chase down in the final innings to seal a 3-1 series win.

Jaiswal’s knock shifted the momentum decisively in India’s favour, giving the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna just about enough of a target to defend. England were bowled out for 367 in a dramatic finish.

After the match, Jaiswal, still beaming from the intensity of the final day, spoke to Cheteshwar Pujara on the sidelines. His words captured the emotion of the moment.

“It felt like absolute cinema - it was just too much fun,” an emotional Jaiswal said.

“It was a complete team performance, with everyone playing at the same intensity. A truly memorable match for all of us, and especially for me. The kind of cricket we played, the atmosphere around us - it was pure emotion.”

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Reflecting on the series, the left-hander highlighted how challenging yet rewarding the experience had been.

“Test cricket has its ups and downs. All matches went the distance over five days, offering so much to learn and so much experience to gain. That’s exactly why you want to play Test cricket - to enjoy moments like these, with this kind of crowd and this kind of environment.”

Jaiswal, playing his first Test series in England, finished the series with 411 runs from five matches. While he began and ended the series with centuries, the 23-year-old also ended a dry spell in between.

His final innings of the series showcased not just skill but also his ability to bounce back and deliver when his team needs him the most. Jaiswal explained how a clear mindset helped him seize control of the game.

“My thinking was clear - whenever I get set, I should play a long innings. I’ve tried to do that in the past, but sometimes I got out to good deliveries.

“This time, though, my mindset was completely different. From the start, my intent was to put them under pressure and make them think about how to halt the flow. That intent stayed the same throughout the innings.”

Yashasvi Jaiswal will next be seen in action for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025, which will start on August 28.