England needs 35 runs with 4 wickets in hand as final Test heads for thrilling Day 5 finish

The fifth and final Test between England and India is set for a nail-biting conclusion on Monday, after rain and poor light brought an early close to Day 4 with England tantalizingly placed at 339-6, just 35 runs away from a record-breaking win.

Chasing 374, England ended Sunday still needing four wickets in hand—possibly only three, given Chris Woakes’ shoulder injury—to clinch the match and the series 3-1. India, meanwhile, requires four wickets to draw the series 2-2.

Joe Root led the charge with a resilient 105, supported by Harry Brook’s 111, as England pushed for another memorable chase. Mohammed Siraj claimed 2-95, becoming the leading wicket-taker of the series with 20 scalps.

Only 10 overs were bowled after tea before bad weather halted play. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (2 not out) and tailender Jamie Overton (0 not out) will resume the chase on Day 5.

There are doubts over Woakes’ ability to bat due to his injury—he was seen at The Oval in cricket whites with his left arm in a sling. Still, he’s expected to bat one-handed if needed.

“You saw him in his whites. He’s ready to go, like the rest of us,” said Root. “It shows his character and commitment to England. Hopefully, if it comes to that, he can help us win this incredible series.”

Earlier in the series, England successfully chased 371 at Headingley, marking their highest run chase at that venue.

England stumble late after a strong partnership
Root and Brook appeared to have sealed the series with their centuries—Root’s 39th and Brook’s 10th—before India launched a comeback. Brook gifted his wicket with a loose shot off Akash Deep, skying a catch to mid-off. He had earlier been dropped on 19 when Siraj accidentally stepped on the boundary rope after a catch, turning a potential dismissal into six runs.

Soon after Brook’s dismissal, Jacob Bethell fell to an ill-judged stroke, dragging the ball onto his stumps. Root then edged behind off Prasidh Krishna, who finished with 3-109, leaving England needing 37 runs.

India had the upper hand during the morning session as seamers made the most of overcast conditions. England resumed at 50-1 and added only 37 runs in the first hour. Ben Duckett reached his fourth fifty of the series but eventually edged Siraj to first slip for 54.

India holds a 52-run lead over England after day two at the Oval

Ollie Pope looked promising with three boundaries off Krishna but was undone by a Siraj delivery that nipped back, continuing his struggles in fourth innings batting—he averages just 19.64 compared to 46.69 in the first innings.

With everything to play for, Monday promises a dramatic finish to an already gripping Test series.

Source: AP News