ENG vs IND 5th Test Day 4: Root-Brook deflate India's momentum at the Oval

England ended the second session of the final Test with commanding momentum, reaching 317/4 after 66 overs in pursuit of a daunting target. Joe Root remains unbeaten on 98, anchoring the innings with masterful poise, while the young Jacob Bethell has just arrived at the crease. Root’s sublime strokeplay, including elegant boundaries off Siraj, brought him within touching distance of yet another Test century.  Earlier, Harry Brook’s explosive 111 off 98 balls, featuring 14 fours and 2 sixes, tilted the match heavily in England's favour during a 195-run partnership with Root, England’s second-highest 4th-innings stand against India. India, despite early breakthroughs and spirited spells from Siraj and Akash Deep, have looked fatigued and erratic. Defensive fields and missed opportunities have underlined their desperation. With the pitch flattening and England needing just a manageable target, the hosts seem well-positioned to clinch a famous win, unless rain or a dramatic twist swings momentum back to India. 

  India gaining confidence early in the day  

India began Day 4 with renewed intensity, using seam movement and disciplined lines to challenge England’s batters. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna led the attack, with Siraj delivering a fiery spell that repeatedly tested Joe Root with nip-backers. He nearly dismissed Root with a beauty, but UltraEdge revealed no contact. Prasidh Krishna broke through first, removing Ben Duckett for 54 with a delivery that drew an edge to KL Rahul at second slip. The breakthrough ended a promising stand and brought Ollie Pope to the crease.

 

Siraj continued to impress, dismissing Pope LBW with a sharp delivery that stayed low. Ball-tracking confirmed it was crashing into leg stump, underlining Siraj’s impact and accuracy, ending the session with 2/44 in 12 overs.

 

Harry Brook entered at 106/3 and launched a calculated counterattack. Starting cautiously, he quickly shifted gears, attacking Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna with bold strokes—including a six over cover and a top-edged six that Siraj nearly caught but stepped on the boundary rope. Brook reached 37* off 29 by lunch. Root played a more restrained role, holding the innings together amid pressure.

 

England scored 75 runs for the loss of two wickets in the session, reaching 162/3 at lunch, with Brook and Root steadying the innings. 

England 2nd Inning at tea
317-4 (66 ov) CRR:4.80
Batter				R		B			4s		6s		SR
Zak Crawley		b M Siraj		14		36			2		0		38.89
Ben Duckett		c KL Rahul b MP Krishna		54		83			6		0		65.06
Ollie Pope (C)		lbw b M Siraj		27		34			5		0		79.41
Joe Root		Not out		98		135			12		0		72.59
Harry Brook		c M Siraj b A Deep		111		98			14		2		113.27
Jacob Bethell		Not out		1		11			0		0		9.09
Extras		12 (b 1, Ib 4, w 6, nb 1, p 0)
Total		317 (4 wkts, 66 Ov)
Yet to Bat		Jamie Smith,Chris Woakes,Gus Atkinson,Jamie Overton,Josh Tongue
Fall of Wickets
50-1(Zak Crawley 13.5),82-2(Ben Duckett 22.4),106-3(Ollie Pope 27.3),301-4(Harry Brook 62.4)
Bowler	O		M		R		W			NB		WD		ECO
Akash Deep	18		3		73		1			1		1		4.06
Prasidh Krishna	19		2		107		1			0		1		5.63
Mohammed Siraj	21		3		91		2			0		0		4.33
Washington Sundar	4		0		19		0			0		0		4.75
Ravindra Jadeja	4		0		22		0			0		0		5.5