On the fourth day in the oval ended so much in this absorbent series – under the dark sky, in the damp field and with tension thick in the air. England needs only 35 other runs. India requires four goals. And the last day of this epic five match saga promises the most precious glasses: a test match with all four results.
Victory for England remains the most likely result. Indian victory – unlikely but not unlikely. A draw, it should rain. And the tie? Nothing can be excluded in a series that has routinely ridiculed predictions.
This captivating competition now extends to the 25th and last day – a suitable finals defined by bold launching, persistent pace and emotional resistance. For most of Sunday, England has emerged under control. For centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root, they powered them towards their daunting target of 374 with nervous calm. At 317 for four in tea, the game seemed to slip from India.
Oval test, 4th day most important Scorecard
However, it seems that this series scripted on request, the door has reopened. Prasidh Krishna, steaming with the second new ball that is approaching, removed Jacob Bethell and Root in rapid succession. Suddenly, the equation looked much more delicate: 339 for six, light fading and Chris Woakes potentially unavailable for a bat due to shoulder injury.
When bad light – and eventually rain – forced the closure soon, India returned to her back. Fieldists found their voice again. Siraj was charged as a man obsessed. The new ball is only 3.4 overs gone and the playground – softened by a heavy roller and summer clothing – can still have a surprise.
Brook and Root: Different wheels, the same impact
At the beginning of the Brook and Root day, they dismantled the Indian attack in contrasting styles, but with the same efficiency. Brook, dropped to 19 when he entered the rope, made the best use of retribution – he hit Akash deep after six and developed the border line. His second century series was released only to 91 balls, shifts of courage and perfect timing.
Root, always a craftsman, anchored shifts with Pois and accuracy. Its 39. Test one hundred – and 13 and 13. Against India – was built with elegance of trademarks. After reaching a milestone, he offered a moving homage to his former coach and mentor Graham Thorpe and raised both the bat and the headband on the sky.
Brook’s shifts ended as dramatically as it started-flying bat, a thoughtful lofted ride and a direct catch in the middle. The root fell soon, bounding behind when the ball began to talk again. It was a kind of double strike that changes not only momentum, but the mood-in the middle and in the dressing room.
Siraj leads a lively struggle in India
The day began to India desperate at the beginning. England, renewed 50 for one, looked deposited. Prasidh Krishna, however, soon struck and stretched free ride from Ben Duckett, who moved to Kl Rahul during the slip. Mohammed Siraj, tireless as always, followed a sharp check that was imprisoned by Ollie Pope before. It was the second Siraj’s release of the Pope in the match and his 20th goal of the series, which confirmed his place as the leading goal.
India had a short opening. But England No. 3 and No. 5 quickly closed it and added 195 runs for just over 35 overs. Spinners – Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja – could not find a rhythm or control, allowing the game to be carried away.
In the final session, Siraj and Prasidh returned for the last charm – And the tide began to rotate.
With a reverse swing in the game, the ball began to behave unpredictably. England scoring has declined, the crowd has grown restlessly and India saw a chance. Both Quicks dug up deep and sent break testing late on the day. Prasidh bowed 22.2 overs, Siraj 26.
It was a pig who cracked the door. Despite the fact that they were admitted earlier, he believed. Jacob Bethell’s rash of stroke took India’s way back. Prasidh backed it up with a sharp magic, beat the bat and drew preliminary pressures from the dough.
Siraj fed energy. He fired at the other end, held pressure and was rewarded when Joe Root stuck behind him, focused on focus. Indian supporters yelled their consent. The mood has shifted.
India, written only an hour earlier, was at once back. The durability and rejection of the couple were given to India’s flash – and maybe more – headed until the last day.
Heavy cylinder vs. Fresh legs: equation day 5
England will continue with Jamie Overton and Jamie Smith at the fold, probably asking for a heavy cylinder to re -settle the surface and alleviate the final section of their persecution. But after Sunday evening there was an Indian witty struggle, this momentum could have shifted a bit in favor of visitors.
India Pacers bowed with furious and heart and turned around by punishing magic. Prasidh Krishna sent 22.2 overs in shifts; Mohammed Siraj, a tireless instant, released 26. When the shoulders began to fall, Siraj and Krishna found more equipment and lit an oval evening with an explosion of enemy, inspired by fast bowling that broke the game.
Siraj, running on vapors, gave everything in the last session before the rain stopped by a game. The demanding octagonal charm was bowed, returning after Jacob Bethell released to attack the pillows Joe Root Jemi poisonous nip-backers. Fielders came to life alive and gathered after each scream and half the chance. Prasidh also found a late rhythm, caused false blows, and spewed England lower order, as shadows were prolonged.
The Indian battery of battery, which empties its tanks, will welcome a night break before they carry out one final pressure.
It was a formula of all series: just when it seemed that one side seized the control, the other broke away from the very continued.
Will the interruption of the growth of India stop? Or did it arrive in time to complement their fast pitching for the last head? The last day holds the answers and promises to remember.
Five -day prognosis: nerves, clouds and chaos
The weather could say again. Morning conditions are expected to remain largely dry, but in the afternoon showers appear – especially around 2 to 16 hours. Cloud cover, heavy from the beginning, can help Indian sailors when they hunt the final four goals.
Meanwhile, England hopes in a quiet sky and calmer heads – and for Smith and Overton to complete what Brook and Root started.
But nothing was easy in this series. Each session rewrote the script. Each breakthrough moved the tone. And now, with the last chapter to be written, the bets could not be higher.
Five tests. Twenty -five days. A thousand events. And only 35 runs – or four goals – left to decide all of it.
Whatever happens, the oval is ready. The fifth times in five matches this series will drop on the last day. And like others, it does not offer any easy answers – only theater.
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
4th August 2025
Tune
