Harry Brook lit up The Oval with a blistering century and Joe Root provided a masterclass in composure as England closed the second session of the fourth day on 317 for 4, narrowing India’s lead to just 57 runs in the fifth and final Test on Sunday.
Chasing an imposing 374-run target, the hosts were guided by a magnificent 195-run fourth-wicket partnership between Brook and Root that blunted India’s bowling attack and turned the tide in England’s favour.
At the tea interval, Root stood unbeaten on 98, tantalisingly close to yet another century, alongside Jacob Bethell on 1. The stage is now set for a thrilling finale with England needing just 57 more runs to claim the match and a 3-1 series victory.
Brook, whose aggressive yet elegant 111 came off just 98 deliveries, showcased the flair and confidence that have defined his rapid ascent in international cricket. His innings, studded with boundaries and impeccable strokeplay, was his tenth Test hundred—achieved in his 50th innings—placing him ninth on the all-time list for quickest to the milestone, a list headed by Don Bradman.
India’s bowlers, who had kept England on a tight leash early in the second innings, wilted under pressure as Root and Brook accelerated the scoring rate. The breakthrough finally came when Brook was caught by Mohammed Siraj off the bowling of Akash Deep for 111, ending a partnership that had turned the match on its head.
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Earlier in the day, Zak Crawley was cleaned up by Siraj for 14, while Ben Duckett made a fluent 54 before falling to Prasidh Krishna. Ollie Pope added 27 but was adjudged leg-before to Siraj, leaving England on a shaky 106 for 3 before the Root-Brook partnership steadied the innings.
India’s bowlers found little assistance from the pitch, and their lines increasingly strayed as pressure mounted. Mohammed Siraj ended the session with figures of 2 for 91, while Akash Deep and Krishna claimed a wicket apiece.
With just one session remaining and England closing in on a memorable comeback, all eyes will be on Root to see if he can reach his century and anchor England to one of their finest fourth-innings chases.
Brief scores:
India 1st innings: 224
England 1st innings: 247
India 2nd innings: 396
England 2nd innings: 317/4 in 66 overs (Ben Duckett 54, Joe Root 98*, Harry Brook 111; Mohammed Siraj 2/91)
Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-82, 3-106, 4-301
Bowling: Akash Deep 18-3-73-1, Prasidh Krishna 19-2-107-1, Mohammed Siraj 21-3-91-2, Washington Sundar 4-0-19-0, Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-22-0.
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