The fifth and final Test at The Oval is heading for a nail-biting finish after a day of fluctuating fortunes, with England needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand, and the possibility of Chris Woakes batting with a dislocated shoulder.
England seemed to be cruising towards a series-clinching victory thanks to impressive centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root. The pair's 195-run partnership appeared to have taken the game away from India, but a late fightback from the Indian bowlers, combined with rain, has given the visitors a glimmer of hope.
Brook's aggressive approach saw him race to his tenth Test century in just 91 balls. He was particularly severe on the Indian bowlers, dispatching them to all parts of the ground. Root, meanwhile, provided the perfect foil, playing a more measured innings as he reached his 39th Test century. Root also paid tribute to his batting mentor Graham Thorpe by wearing a white headband with Thorpe's name and likeness on it after reaching his century.
With England seemingly in control at 301/3, the game took a dramatic turn. Akash Deep triggered the slide when Brook mistimed a shot and was caught by Mohammed Siraj. Prasidh Krishna then struck twice, removing Jacob Bethell and Root in quick succession. Siraj's relentless spell also kept the pressure on the English batsmen.
The late wickets sparked a renewed sense of belief in the Indian team, who had appeared down and out earlier in the day. The old ball started to aid the pacers, and the scoreboard pressure began to mount. With the momentum shifting, bad light stopped play, followed by rain, leaving the match hanging in the balance.
India will be hoping to capitalize on this momentum when play resumes. The key will be to take early wickets and put the England lower order under pressure. However, England will be confident that they can knock off the remaining runs, especially with the in-form Jamie Smith at the crease. The uncertainty surrounding Chris Woakes' availability adds another layer of intrigue to the contest.
