IND vs ENG 5th Test Highlights Day 4: Rain forces early stumps, India hunt four wickets on final day to draw series

India vs England 5th Test Live Score Day 4: Follow latest updates

India vs. England 5th Test Highlights Day 4, IND vs. ENG: Rain forced an early close to Day 4 at The Oval, halting India’s charge just as they tightened their grip on the contest. With England still needing 35 runs and only four wickets remaining, India will return on the final day eyeing a series-levelling win. Earlier, bad light halted play at The Oval, moments after India regained momentum with the crucial wicket of Joe Root, keeping their hopes alive in a tense finish. Prasidh Krishna dealt a crucial blow by removing Root, swinging the momentum in India’s favour and reigniting their hopes at The Oval. Root's sublime century took England close to winning, but Krishna's two quick wickets turned the tide.

Root moved steadily towards his century at tea, anchoring England’s chase with poise. With only 57 runs separating them from a series win, the hosts are within touching distance, firmly guided by Root’s assured presence at the crease.

Akash Deep struck at a crucial moment to dismiss the well-set Harry Brook, offering India a much-needed breakthrough. The wicket came just as England appeared to be running away with the game, giving the visitors a sliver of hope to regain control.

Brook launched a blistering assault to notch up a stunning century, while Joe Root played the perfect foil with a composed knock, as the duo firmly tilted the momentum in England’s favour. The Indian bowlers looked increasingly ineffective as the partnership flourished, gradually wresting control of the match away from the visitors.

Earlier, Mohammed Siraj was on the money once again as he removed Ollie Pope for the second time in the match, delivering a crucial breakthrough for India. With two early strikes, the visitors have rattled England and seized the momentum in the final innings.

Earlier, Prasidh Krishna provided India with a crucial breakthrough by removing Ben Duckett, halting England’s steady progress. With Duckett dismissed, Joe Root walks in to join Ollie Pope as the hosts look to regain control of the chase. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep charged in with purpose as India looked to make early inroads on Day 4 at The Oval. With the pitch offering just enough for the seamers, both bowlers focused on maintaining tight lines and exploiting any movement off the surface. On the 24th day of Test cricket in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, we may finally be approaching the home stretch, and the conclusion of a sensational and tensely-fought Test series. Day 4 of the fifth Test at the Oval, and we are into the fourth innings with the battle lines clear as can be: India need to pick up nine more wickets, and England need to score 324 runs.

It is a simple equation, and India might be favourites, but England have made a good habit of chasing down these tall scores against the Indian team. The benefit for the Indian seam unit is that on this occasion the pitch has plenty of support for them, with a green top and relatively overcast skies. None of the flatness and heat that allowed England to waltz home at Headingley in the first match of this series, or at Edgbaston three years ago.

England lost their first wicket on what was the last ball of the third day, as Mohammed Siraj bluffed Zak Crawley and delivered a perfect yorker to obliterate his off-stump. It was the wicket of a man who has found confidence after his first innings exploits, happy to lead India’s pace bowling in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. It was also a tactical setup of a man who has learned so much in the first series of his captaincy, with Shubman Gill getting into Crawley’s head and allowing his bowler to provide the magic to the plan.

If India can find that mixture just a couple more times to remove England’s biggest threats — Ben Duckett still at the crease, Joe Root and Harry Brook to come — they will like their chances of converting their advantage. Nevertheless, they will need to be wary: if the pitch begins to flatten out and the English batters get the chance to open up their arms, they have the quality and the mindset to quickly take the match away from the visitors.

Shubman Gill has enough weapons in his toolbox to take this Test match and level the series at a very respectable 2-2, in his first tour as captain. It will require India to be clinical and on top of their game, to ensure they hang on to their catches, use their reviews well, and not give the English batters too many bad balls through which to relieve pressure.

It has all the makings of a terrific fourth day, a decisive end to the series where the result hangs in the balance, as this series deserves. Who will be capable of holding their nerves the best?

India vs England 5th Test Day 4 Highlights and Updates:

- Day 4 called off due to rain; India need 4 wickets, England 35 runs, as teams to return tomorrow for final day.

- Joe Root reached a sublime century, guiding England within touching distance of a series-winning victory with yet another masterful innings.

- Joe Root reached a calm, well-constructed fifty, while Harry Brook continued to take the attack to the bowlers, piling pressure on the Indian side.

- Harry Brook hit half-century off 39 balls to put England in the driver's seat.

- Mohammed Siraj struck again with fiery precision, dismissing Ollie Pope for the second time in the match.

- Prasidh Krishna provided a crucial breakthrough by removing Ben Duckett (54), halting England's momentum.