ENG vs IND 2025, Day 4, Highlights: Root and Brook’s gritty 195-Run partnership takes England to the doorstep of victory.
Brief scores: IND 224 & 396 leads ENG 247 & 339/6 (Harry Brook 111, Joe Root 105, Prasidh Krishna 3/109) by 34 runs at stumps on Day 4. England need 35 runs to win
India will get to fight another day, courtesy of late wickets by their pacers and rain interruptions in the final session on day 4 of the final Test against England. Earlier in the day, cracking centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook put England in the pole position, on the brink of a record-breaking win.
England add 114 runs, despite losing two early wickets
Day 4 of the final match of this riveting Test series started with England needing 324 runs, with eight wickets in hand. On a gloomy morning at London, the India pacers, especially Mohammed Siraj, made the ball talk, resulting in the wicket of Ben Duckett.
Prasidh Krishna scalped Duckett, who fell soon after reaching his half-century. Skipper Ollie Pope looked positive in his stay but once again fell to Siraj in this Test after making 27. Harry Brook looked to take the game by the horns from the word go and took his chances.
He mistimed one pull shot which went to long leg, and Siraj caught it but stepped into the boundary cushions when Brook was on 19. This completely changed the complexion of the game as Brook and Joe Root brought their 50-run stand in 48 balls. The former made them pay with some attractive stroke play as England went into Lunch at 164/3.
Read More: ENG vs IND 2025, 5th Test, Day 3: Jaiswal ton helps India set target of 374; England 50-1 at stumps
Brook headlines a dominant session for England
Still needing 210 runs to win, India were still in the driving seat. However, the two England batters didn’t allow India’s bowlers to settle as they added 36 runs in the first six overs and 39 more runs in the next eight.
The hosts dominated the proceedings in the next hour as well with runs coming at an even quicker pace. Harry Brook brought his century off 91 balls and England added 88 in the session. Despite the fact that Brook got out late in the piece, England sat in a comfortable position, needing just 57 more runs.
Rain pushes final Test to Day 5
All seemed lost for India at this stage going into the final session of the day. But a rash shot from Jacob Bethel gave India a sniff and Joe Root’s wicket just before the eventual close of play brightened their chances further. At stumps on Day 4, England were six down with 339 runs on the board and keeper-batter Jamie Smith still at the crease.
Read More: ENG vs IND 2025, 5th Test, Day 2: India 52 runs ahead after 15-wicket day at The Oval
What’s Next
As a result of those two late wickets, both sides will now fancy their chances of winning the game going into the final day of the series. India needs to three wickets to level the series 2-2 and new ball being due, they can harbor hopes of getting these wickets quickly.
England need 35 run to take Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 3-1, and will consider themselves favorites, with four wickets still in the hut.
Statistical Highlights from ENG vs IND 2025, Oval Test, Day 4
- Duckett scored 228 runs in the 4th innings in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. It’s the highest tally in this category this series, across sides.
- Siraj (20) emerged as the leading wicket-taker across sides in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
- Root & Brook produced the 11th century-plus stand in the 4th innings for England against India in Tests.
- Root now has 13 fifty-plus scores in the 4th innings. That’s the joint-highest in this category along with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle & Graeme Smith.
- Joe Root now has three centuries in the 4th innings.
- Joe Root now has 13 hundreds against India.
Read More: ENG vs IND 2025, 5th Test Day 1: India manage 204-6 on a stop-start day; Karun Nair batting 52*
Top Twitter/X reactions from ENG vs IND 2025, Oval Test, Day 4
The Indian pacers have kept the game alive somehow. Looked totally on top against Overton-Smith. The interruption might work in favor of England though. Fingers crossed. #ENGvIND
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) August 3, 2025
Loved the never give up attitude of the Indian team right through the series
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 3, 2025
This test series just doesn't stop giving. 5 test matches between two well matched teams has been a treat. And as players tire, another dimension enters the contest. Test cricket is beautiful.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 3, 2025
💯 in the last innings of the test match by Harry Brook is a play which earns you respect all around.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 3, 2025
KL Rahul is easily the best slip fielder India has. Brilliant technique, concentration and relaxed. Makes the difficult task look easy. After the first Test, India showed England how it is done.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 3, 2025
Read More: Why India need to worry about strengthening their bowling attack to take 20 wickets
