ENG vs IND, 5th Test: India lives to fight another day after rain forces early Stumps with England 35 runs adrift of victory


As Joe Root and Jacob Bethell walked out for the final session, not many expected India to fight back.

Until then, the fourth day of the fifth Test looked tilted towards England as Root (105, 152b, 12×4) and Harry Brook (111, 98b, 14×4, 2×6) made batting look easy as the host inched closer to chasing down a massive 374 at The Oval.

But 30 minutes into the post-tea session on Sunday, things changed dramatically as England lost two quick wickets and was struggling at 339 for six, still 35 runs away from the victory, before rain forced an early call-off.

IND vs ENG Highlights, 5th Test Day 4

With another fifth day finish loading, England would be disappointed that it complicated things at the fag end.

In overcast conditions, the ball moved a lot as both Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna put England under pressure. The inexperienced Bethell fell to a rash shot, and things spiced up further when Root nicked one behind the stumps, soon after completing his 39th Test ton, and third of the series.

With wickets falling in quick succession, England’s lower middle-order was caught off guard as both Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton spent a few nervy moments, seeing off Prasidh and Siraj, before rain interrupted, much to England’s relief.

On the final day, India will be looking to quickly pick the last four English wickets and board the flight back home, having drawn the series.

Historically, The Oval is considered a difficult venue for fourth-innings run chases, with a target in excess of 200 being overhauled only six times. However, earlier in the day, England dominated as Root and Brook regrouped after the home team lost two early wickets—Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett —in the opening session.

Brook’s stint, too, would have ended at 19 when he mistimed a short ball from Prasidh to fine-leg, where Siraj completed the catch but, to the dismay of the Indian fans, stepped over the rope. Siraj, who had just taken the field after a long eight-over spell, was visibly upset.

Meanwhile, Brook rebuilt, thanks to some uninspiring captaincy and bizarre decisions. Despite the quicks being visibly fatigued, Shubman Gill didn’t operate his spinners for the longest time, allowing Root and Brook to stitch a 195-run partnership.

After a couple of disappointing outings, Brook let his willow do the talking when it mattered the most and brought up the 10th century of his Test career and also the fastest fourth-innings hundred against India. He looked at ease until an unforced error from the England vice-captain handed India a breakthrough.

However, England was in control of the game by then. But there was a twist. The bowling unit shrugged off the disappointment, and despite bowling the maximum number of overs for India in the series, Siraj wasn’t short of enthusiasm. Bowling with gusto, along with Prasidh, Siraj ensured India lived to fight another day.



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