India tour of England 2025: England vs India fifth Test at the Oval day 4 on August 3, 2025

As Joe Root and Jacob Bethell walked out for the final session, not many expected India to fight back. Until then, Root and Harry Brook made batting look easy as the hosts inched closer to chasing down a massive 374 and set a record at The Oval on the fourth day of the fifth Test.

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 end.

With another fifth-day finish loading, England would be disappointed that it complicated things at the fag end after Root and Brook’s hundreds put it on course.

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

Mohammed Siraj appeals successfully for the wicket of England’s captain Ollie Pope during the fourth day of the fifth Test match at the Oval on August 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Sudden wickets meant England 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 the home team’s relief.

India would be desperate to snare the last four 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 in Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett in the opening session.

Brook’s stint, too, would have ended at 19 as he mistimed a short ball from Prasidh to fine-leg, where Siraj completed the catch but eventually ended up stepping over the boundary rope. While it was a reprieve for Brook, Siraj, who had just taken the field after a long eight-over spell, was visibly upset.

And Brook made it count. Making the most of uninspiring captaincy, some bizarre decisions — the major being not bowling a spinner for a long time — and the bowlers looking fatigued, Root and Brook produced a 195-run partnership.

Though Brook edged one between the slip and gully in the post-lunch session, no damage was done. After a couple of disappointing outings, the England vice-captain let his willow do the talking at the critical juncture and brought up his 10th Test century. It was also the fastest fourth-innings hundred against India. He looked at ease until an unforced error handed India the breakthrough.

It seemed England was in control of the game by then. But not quite. The Indian bowling unit shrugged off the disappointment, and despite sending down the maximum number of overs for India in the series, Siraj steamed in. Along with Prasidh, Siraj ensured India lived to fight another day.