India vs England Live Score, 5th Test Match Day 4: India struck early on Day 4, but Harry Brook’s fearless counterattack ensured that the final Test at The Oval stayed finely balanced heading into the lunch break on Sunday.
England went into the interval at 164 for 3, still requiring 210 more runs to overhaul India’s stiff target of 374 and wrap up the series with a 3-1 win.
Joe Root, the world’s No. 1 Test batter, remained steady on 23*, while Harry Brook brought energy and aggression to the chase, ending the session on a lively 38*. His knock, featuring four boundaries and two sixes, came at a crucial time for England and shifted momentum briefly in their favour.
Brook walked in with England at 106 for 3 after Mohammed Siraj removed stand-in skipper Ollie Pope for 27, trapping him leg-before with a delivery that stayed low and darted in. What followed was a burst of aggression—Brook hammered 27 runs off just eight balls, including a breathtaking six over cover off Akash Deep despite the bowler-friendly overhead conditions.
His luck, however, nearly ran out when he mishit a hook shot off Prasidh Krishna towards fine leg. Siraj caught the ball at the boundary but inadvertently stepped on the rope, turning what could’ve been a crucial dismissal into six runs for England.
The day had started with England at 50 for 1, having lost Zak Crawley to the final ball of Day 3—a searing yorker from Siraj that shattered his stumps.
Ben Duckett resumed on 34* and looked solid early on, but persistent pressure from Siraj and Prasidh Krishna kept him on edge. Eventually, Krishna found the edge as Duckett drove loosely outside off, and KL Rahul snapped up the catch at second slip. Duckett departed for 54, with England reduced to 82 for 2.
Pope provided brief resistance, unfurling three stylish boundaries in a single Krishna over—a straight drive, a flick through midwicket, and a well-timed pull. But Siraj returned with another breakthrough, nailing Pope in front with a sharp nip-backer. That wicket gave Siraj his 20th of the series, making him the top wicket-taker in the contest so far.
India’s imposing second-innings total of 396 was built around a classy 118 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a brisk 53 from Washington Sundar, who provided late fireworks.
History, however, isn’t in England’s favour. The highest successful fourth-innings chase at The Oval remains 263, set in 1902. Yet, Ben Stokes’ side will take confidence from their stunning pursuit of 371 in the first Test at Headingley—a reminder that nothing is out of reach for this fearless England team.