An extraordinary fourth day of the fifth and final Test concluded prematurely due to bad light and heavy rain, leaving England just 35 runs away from a famous series victory. However, a late Indian fightback has ensured the match hangs in the balance, with the hosts set to resume on Monday at 339-6.
England, chasing a record run-chase, had looked destined for a 3-1 series win thanks to a magnificent 195-run partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root. With only 73 runs needed, a moment of madness from Brook turned the tide. He departed for a brilliant 111 after a wild stroke resulted in a skied catch.

This gave India a glimmer of hope, and they capitalized on it ruthlessly. Jacob Bethell fell to a rash shot for just five, and soon after, the masterful Joe Root, fresh from completing his 39th Test century, nicked a catch to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel off Prasidh Krishna, sparking wild celebrations from the Indian side.

The final overs of the day saw Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton struggle to survive amidst a flurry of appeals, before the umpires called an end to the day’s play. The highest successful run chase at The Oval remains England’s 263-9 against Australia in 1902. With Chris Woakes unlikely to bat due to a broken shoulder, the final day promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a gripping series.

Brook and Root’s Partnership Threatens to End India’s Hopes
The morning session had started well for India, who dismissed Ben Duckett for 54 and Ollie Pope for 27, leaving England wobbling at 106-3. However, a crucial dropped catch by Mohammed Siraj, when Brook was on 19, proved costly. Brook made India pay a heavy price for the error, smashing two sixes and twelve fours to reach his tenth Test century in just 91 balls.

Root, in his typical consistent fashion, provided the perfect support. The pair dominated the Indian bowlers under grey skies, with Root completing a masterclass century of his own. Once past the three-figure mark, Brook unleashed an all-out attack, hitting Akash Deep for two boundaries in an over before attempting a third. This time, Siraj held on to the catch, but not before Brook’s bat flew out of his hands in the process. He received a standing ovation from the crowd, believing he had done enough to secure the win.

However, India had other ideas. With three wickets falling in quick succession, the match is now finely balanced, setting the stage for a dramatic final day.