India vs. England 5th Test, Day 4: Brook and Root Centuries Keep England in Chase, Rain Halts Thriller l

The Oval, London, August 4 (|Sports Desk)

Day 4 of the 5th Test match at The Oval, part of the India tour of England 2025 and the ICC World Test Championship (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy), delivered high drama as England reached 339/6, needing just 35 runs to achieve a record-breaking chase of 374 and win the series 3-1. India, requiring four wickets (with Chris Woakes unlikely to bat due to a shoulder injury), were buoyed by Prasidh Krishna’s late double strike, dismissing Harry Brook and Joe Root. Rain and bad light forced an early end, setting up a thrilling finale on Day 5. India remain favorites to level the series at 2-2, but England’s aggressive batting keeps the contest alive.

Match Summary

• Venue: The Oval, London
• Series Context: England lead 2-1 after a draw in the 4th Test at Old Trafford. India need a win to draw the series, while England aim for a 3-1 victory.
• Toss: England won and elected to bowl, leveraging the seam-friendly pitch (8mm grass) and overcast conditions.
• Day 4 Status: India 224 (Nair 57, Atkinson 5/33) and 396 (Jaiswal 118, Akash Deep 66, Jadeja 53, Washington 53, Tongue 5/125); England 247 (Crawley 64, Brook 53, Prasidh 4/62, Siraj 4/86) and 339/6 (Root 103, Brook 111, Prasidh 2/67). England need 35 runs with four wickets remaining; India need four wickets.
• Overs Bowled: 76.2 overs in England’s second innings
• Run Rate: England 2nd innings 4.44 runs/over
• Sources: ESPNcricinfo, BBC Sport

England’s Second Innings: Brook and Root Shine, Prasidh Strikes Late

England began Day 4 at 50/1 after 13.5 overs, needing 324 runs to chase 374. Zak Crawley’s dismissal to Mohammed Siraj’s yorker on Day 3 left Ben Duckett (34*) to anchor the innings, with India’s bowlers aiming to exploit the pitch’s residual movement.

• Ben Duckett (34 off unspecified balls): Duckett’s cautious start ended early on Day 4, dismissed by Prasidh Krishna, who found extra bounce to induce an edge to the slips. His 34 provided stability, but his departure at 92/2 shifted pressure to the middle order.
• Joe Root (103 off 137 balls): Root’s 39th Test century was a masterclass, guiding England to within 37 runs of victory. His composed innings featured elegant drives and deft placements, surviving a fiery spell from Siraj. Root’s dismissal, edging Prasidh to Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps, was a turning point, leaving England at 337/5.
• Harry Brook (111 off 98 balls): Brook’s explosive 111, including a stunning array of shots, turned the game England’s way. His aggressive approach petrified India’s bowlers, as noted by BBC Sport, with a standout cover drive and a near-six that fell short. Dropped on 19 by Karun Nair, Brook capitalized but fell to Prasidh, who bowled a fuller length to trap him lbw, shifting momentum back to India.
• Jacob Bethell (unspecified runs): The young batter struggled, looking uncertain in his four-day game after only 20 first-class matches. Prasidh dismissed him, exploiting his inexperience, as Bethell failed to find a scoring rhythm. His error, noted by BBC Sport, added to England’s late wobble.
• Jamie Smith (unspecified runs, batting): At the close, Smith was at the crease, under pressure with every ball threatening an edge. His resilience alongside Ollie Pope kept England alive, but India’s bowlers sensed vulnerability.
• Ollie Pope (unspecified runs, batting): As stand-in captain, Pope remained not out, tasked with steering England to the target on Day 5. His gritty batting complemented Root and Brook’s flair.                                                                                     watch…India vs. England 5th Test, Day 3: Jaiswal’s Century Put India in Command

India’s Bowling Effort:

• Prasidh Krishna (2/67): Prasidh’s evening session heroics, dismissing Brook and Root, swung the match in India’s favor before rain intervened. His fuller lengths and ability to extract bounce were crucial, as highlighted by BBC Sport.
• Mohammed Siraj: After his Day 3 heroics, Siraj maintained pressure, striking Root on the helmet and testing Smith with pace. His figures were not detailed, but his intensity was pivotal.
• Akash Deep: Delivered probing spells, including a maiden, but went wicketless on Day 4. His aggression kept England’s batters cautious.
• Ravindra Jadeja: The spinner bowled tightly, with the pitch’s cracks expected to assist on Day 5. He remained a threat, though wickets eluded him.

England’s chase reached 339/6 after 76.2 overs when rain and bad light halted play, leaving them 35 runs short with four wickets in hand (effectively three, given Woakes’ injury).

Key Moments

• Brook’s Century (111 off 98 balls): Brook’s stunning 111, including a rapid 50, shifted momentum, reducing the target to 73 before his dismissal. His risk-taking, though costly, transformed the game’s tempo.
• Root’s 39th Test Ton (103 off 137 balls): Root’s composed century brought England within 37 runs, but his late dismissal sparked hope for India.
• Prasidh’s Double Strike: Dismissing Brook and Bethell in quick succession, Prasidh turned the match, as noted by BBC Sport, before rain intervened.
• Rain and Bad Light: Persistent showers and fading light ended play early, with England needing 35 runs and India four wickets, setting up a dramatic Day 5.
• England’s Aggressive Start: Duckett and Crawley’s 92-run stand in 12.5 overs, described as “Bazball” by BBC Sport, set an attacking tone before India fought back by bowling fuller lengths.

Analysis

Day 4 showcased England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, with Brook and Root’s centuries driving them close to a historic chase, surpassing their 371-run success in the 1st Test and nearing their 378 at Edgbaston in 2022. However, Prasidh Krishna’s late wickets, exploiting the pitch’s movement, swung the pendulum back to India. The absence of Chris Woakes, injured on Day 1, left England’s bowling thin on Day 3, allowing India to set a formidable 374. India’s bowlers, led by Prasidh and Siraj, capitalized on England’s late collapse, while the pitch’s cracks and forecast sun on Day 5 favor Jadeja’s spin. Rain remains a factor, potentially pushing the match towards a draw, which would be a moral victory for India after trailing 2-1.

Looking Ahead

• India’s Strategy: India will rely on Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj to strike early, targeting Jamie Smith and Ollie Pope. Ravindra Jadeja’s spin could exploit the pitch’s wear, with cracks likely to assist. A quick finish could secure a series-levelling win.
• England’s Plan: Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith must navigate the first hour, with 35 runs needed. England’s aggressive approach, backed by their history of chasing big totals, keeps them in contention, but they must avoid further collapses.
• Pitch and Weather: The pitch, offering seam movement and emerging cracks, favors India’s bowlers, especially Jadeja. Sunshine is forecast for Day 5, but early showers could reduce overs, increasing draw chances.