IND vs ENG: Joe Root-Harry Brook's centuries on Day 4 spice up Oval Test, India need 4 wickets while England 35-run away from sealing win in series decider

The thrilling series is set for a dramatic final day at The Oval, as bad light and rain brought an early end to play in the fifth Test between India and England. The umpires called the players off the field with England at 339/6, needing just 35 more runs to secure a series victory. India, on the other hand, need just four wickets to win the match and level the series.

India vs England 5th Test on knife-edge

Earlier in the day, a sensational 200-run partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root had put England in a dominant position. Brook scored a thrilling century, while Root reached his 39th Test hundred. As England appeared to be cruising to victory, both centurions were dismissed, along with Jacob Bethell for five runs. These late wickets have set the stage for a tense and dramatic conclusion on the final day.

ALSO READ: Will injured Chris Woakes come to bat for England on Day 5 of fifth Test against India? Joe Root reveals it all after Day 4 stumps

The series hangs in the balance, with an Indian victory tying the five-match series at 2-2. However, if England's tail-enders can get the remaining runs, it will be a 3-1 home series win for them.

Harry Brook-Joe Root's tons put England on dominant position

Day four of the Test began with England's openers, Ben Duckett and stand-in captain Ollie Pope, taking a cautious approach in their run chase, a change from their usual Bazball style. Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to unsettle Duckett, which paid off when the English batter played a loose shot and was caught at second slip. Mohammed Siraj then accounted for Pope, trapping him leg before wicket.

This brought Harry Brook to the crease, who, along with Joe Root, dominated the second session and put England on the verge of a record run chase at The Oval. Brook’s aggressive hundred, his 10th in Tests and first in a fourth innings, coupled with Root's 39th Test century, put India on the back foot.

Just as it seemed England would run away with the game, Akash Deep dismissed the dangerous Brook for a brilliant 111 off just 98 balls. This wicket broke England’s momentum, allowing the Indian pacers to seize control, and they soon removed Root for 105. With the tail-end exposed and England a batter short due to Chris Woakes' shoulder injury, India was in a strong position. However, before India could make further inroads, bad light and then rain forced an early end to play, setting up a thrilling conclusion on the final day.