Day 4 of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was nothing short of cinema. With 324 runs still to climb, England began their chase in a composed manner. But what followed in the second session was absolute carnage with the bat. Meanwhile, Indian bowlers showed some fight in the final session, offering a small ray of hope for the visitors.
Joe Root puts England closer to victory but India keeps hope alive
Till tea, England looked the happier side with victory well within sight at 317 for 4. However, the Indian bowlers returned with renewed energy, determined to keep the contest alive. After Joe Root brought up his 39th Test century, the momentum briefly shifted. England’s batters began to struggle under pressure, and Jacob Bethell, who battled for 31 balls, was eventually bowled for just 5.
A few overs later, the big blow came as Root was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna, leaving the Oval crowd stunned. With only 35 runs needed and four wickets remaining, India tightened the field and turned up the intensity. The visitors made it clear they wouldn’t hand over the match easily, setting up a tense final passage.
Harry Brook’s blazing century puts England in command at the Oval
On the early play of Day 4 at The Oval, Harry Brook took center stage with a superb century that energized England’s chase. After being dropped on 19, Brook capitalized on the reprieve and attacked the Indian bowlers aggressively, reaching 111 runs off just 98 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes. His confident and powerful batting put England in a strong position, especially as he navigated through India’s disciplined bowling attack.
Alongside him, Ollie Pope provided steady support, fighting hard to hold his ground amid the pressure. Despite India’s efforts, notably from bowlers like Akash Deep and Prasidh, Brook’s innings changed the momentum, pushing England closer to their target.
Also WATCH: Mohammed Siraj’s magical inswinger castles Ollie Pope on Day 4 of the fifth Test
Here’s how fans reacted:
#askStar
What a great effort by all 3 fast bowlers. They have literally extract out the chances from nowhere. Anything can be happen tomorrow #INDvsENG— Barun Kumar (@Barunnitb) August 3, 2025
CALLED OF DAY 4 AT OVAL DUE TO BAD LIGHT AND RAIN.
INDIA NEED 4 WICKETS AND ENGLAND NEED 35 MORE RUNS TO WIN. WHAT A TEST MATCH RUNNING. Decision Will announced day 5. Stay tune. We Will win #ENGvIND #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/oiCMT18S1T
— Vinod Vishwakarma (@we_knowd) August 3, 2025
All 5 tests End on 5th day
What a blockbuster series #ENGvIND #INDvsENG— Crickupdate (@maulikchauhan13) August 3, 2025
in the last innings of the test match by Harry Brook is a play which earns you respect all around.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 3, 2025
A superb comeback by Indian bowlers….
Prasidh krishna
Siraj …
Hope India will make it tomorrow #INDvsENG— Rishi (@RishiRo264) August 3, 2025
India had an outisde chance had it gone till the end today itself as the crowd was behind. Tomorrow it won’t be same intensity and importantly the use of heavy roller will ease out the pitch.#ENGvIND
— Arjun4u (@Arjun4u1) August 3, 2025
FIFTH TEST IS GOING INTO THE FINAL DAY
– This is Absolute Cinema.
5 Days in 1st Test, 2nd Test, 3rd Test, 4th Test & 5th Test One of the Craziest Test series ever in the History. pic.twitter.com/kdrvEDsSnQ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 3, 2025
Cricket gyaan: What another fantastic day of test cricket: @root66 is a all time great, Harry Brookes is on his way to becoming the next English great. If England win, it will be one of their finest ever. If India wins, it would be fitting: 2-2 is a fair result to an utterly…
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 3, 2025
Why was there no activity from ground staff to clear the rainwater after the rain had stopped? Deliberately delaying it so that England gets to have the benefit of the roller tomorrow?! #ENGvIND
— Sahil Prakash (@sahil_prakash) August 3, 2025
What a Test match!
Stumps on Day 4: England 339/6, need just 35 runs to win with 4 wickets in hand!
Joe Root’s ton gave them hope, but India hit back late!
Nail-biting Day 5 awaits #ENGvIND #TestCricket #JoeRoot #CricketTwitter— Haris Mahmood (@HarisMa73708878) August 3, 2025
It’s Prasidh’s Route
And we believe #WhistlePodu #ENGvIND
: BCCI pic.twitter.com/NBM3U801nY— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 3, 2025
Day 5 awaits at the Kennington Oval – with England needing 35 runs and India needing 4 wickets#cricket #ENGvIND #5thTest #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/lsqONe9P1l
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 3, 2025
Also WATCH: Prasidh Krishna breaks Ben Duckett’s resistance with crucial Day 4 strike in final Test
