England Near Record Chase as India Fights Back Late on Dramatic Day 4 at The Oval

When India set England a target of 374 runs to win at The Oval, many believed Shubman Gill’s team had one hand on the victory. Chasing a fourth-innings total of this magnitude has historically been an uphill battle, especially at this venue where no team had ever successfully chased more than 263 runs before—a record that had stood since 1902. That stat alone made India the favorites as they walked off the field after their second innings. However, cricket’s beauty lies in its unpredictability, and England’s chase soon turned into something extraordinary.

Joe Root and Harry Brook, England’s two most reliable batters in recent times, rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion. With a stunning 195-run partnership, they made the once-impossible target seem attainable. Root’s class and experience, combined with Brook’s aggressive approach, left the Indian bowlers struggling for answers. At one stage, England were cruising at 301 for 3, and a famous victory looked inevitable. Indian hopes were fading until the tide turned dramatically, proving once again that no result is ever final in Test cricket until the last ball is bowled.

The turning point came when Akash Deep removed Brook for a brilliant 111. It was a breakthrough that India desperately needed. But even that dismissal had its own drama. Earlier in the day, Brook could’ve been dismissed for just 19 runs had Mohammad Siraj’s excellent effort at the boundary not gone in vain—his foot just touching the rope, gifting Brook a six instead of a wicket. That moment could have changed everything. England’s total at the time would have been just 137 for 4, a far more vulnerable position. Instead, Brook made India pay dearly for that missed opportunity with a century that brought his side within striking distance of history. Once Brook was finally dismissed, England still needed 73 more runs, but with Joe Root still at the crease, English fans were optimistic.

However, as quickly as fortunes had favored England, they reversed. Prasidh Krishna removed Bethell first and then claimed the prized wicket of Root, who had already scored a masterful 105—his 39th Test century. That double blow reduced England to 337 for 6, needing another 37 runs with only four wickets remaining. Suddenly, the match that looked wrapped up for England was back in balance. Tension returned to the ground. Just as the game built toward a nail-biting climax, poor light forced the umpires to halt play. Then came the rain, dashing any hopes of squeezing in more overs that day.

By stumps on Day 4, England had reached 339 for 6, still 35 runs short of a record-breaking win. Jamie Smith and Overton remained unbeaten at the crease. The stage is now set for a thrilling fifth-day finish. With all four previous Tests in the series having ended on the final day, this one seems no different. But this time, the stakes are even higher, and the tension even thicker. While England remain favorites with only 35 runs to get, India are far from beaten. A couple of early wickets on Day 5 could change everything. The Indian bowlers, inspired by the dramatic comeback late on Day 4, will believe they still have a chance. Whether England can script a historic chase or India can pull off an epic fightback will be decided in the final session of a series already full of twists and turns.

Stumps, Day 4 Summary:

India: 224 & 396

England: 247 & 339/6 in 76.2 overs (Brook 111, Root 105, Duckett 54, Pope 27; Krishna 3/109, Siraj 2/95, Deep 1/85)

England require 35 more runs with 4 wickets in hand.