Indian bowlers struck early on Day 4 of the fifth and final Test against England, but centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root put the hosts on the brink of a memorable series-clinching win in Birmingham on Sunday. England ended the day at 339 for six, just 35 runs away from chasing down the 374-run target set by India, with Jamie Smith (2) and Jamie Overton (0) at the crease when rain and bad light forced stumps.
England began the day at 50 for one, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna giving India an ideal start. Siraj removed stand-in skipper Ollie Pope (27) with a sharp delivery, while Prasidh Krishna accounted for the well-set Ben Duckett, who made 54 off 83 balls. Those early strikes left England at 164 for three at lunch, with Joe Root on 23 and Harry Brook on 38.
The afternoon session completely shifted the momentum. Brook and Root launched a superb counterattack, punishing the Indian bowlers during a dominant fourth-wicket stand of 195 runs. Brook brought up his 10th Test century in just his 50th innings, placing him ninth on the all-time list for fastest players to reach 10 hundreds — a list topped by Don Bradman, who did it in only 23 innings.
Joe Root, playing with his trademark composure, initially held the innings together before accelerating alongside Brook. He reached his 39th Test hundred, further cementing his place among the modern batting greats. Their partnership ran the Indian attack ragged, particularly after lunch, when the bowlers struggled to maintain pressure.
India finally broke through when Akash Deep dismissed Brook for 111 off 98 balls, ending a counterattacking innings that featured crisp stroke play and clever placement. Prasidh Krishna then struck again, removing Jacob Bethell for 5, before claiming his third wicket by sending back Root for 105, caught by Dhruv Jurel.
By the time stumps were called due to a combination of rain and bad light, England had reached 339 for six in 76.2 overs. They require just 35 more runs on the final day to seal a 3-1 series win over India.
Prasidh Krishna emerged as India’s most effective bowler, finishing with 3 for 109, while Mohammed Siraj claimed 2 for 95. Debutant Akash Deep took 1 for 85, but India’s spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar went wicketless in their limited spells.
Earlier in the day, Telasco Segovia’s early strike for England after India’s overnight lead was cut kept the game competitive, but the relentless batting of Root and Brook turned the tide in favour of the hosts. With only a small target left to chase, England will fancy their chances of completing a remarkable win.
India vs England, Day 4 Scorecard: India 1st innings: 224 England 1st innings: 247 India 2nd innings: 396 England 2nd innings: 339/6 in 76.2 overs (Root 105, Brook 111; Prasidh 3/109, Siraj 2/95)
With England just 35 runs away from victory and four wickets in hand, the series appears within their grasp, barring a late twist from India’s bowlers.
India vs England: Previous results in the series:
1st Test, Headingley, Leeds: England won by 5 wickets 2nd Test, Edgbaston, Birmingham: India won by 336 runs 3rd Test, Lords, London: England won by 22 runs 4th Test, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester: Match drawn
Though both set batters have now been sent back to the pavilion, the pressure squarely rests on England’s tailenders to chase down the remaining 35 runs and seal the five-match Test series 3-1. However, the task is anything but straightforward. With India just four wickets away from leveling the series 2-2, and their bowlers breathing fire in the final session, what lies ahead promises to be a gripping finish rather than a cakewalk for the hosts.
Joe Root and Harry Brook (Screengrabs: Irfan Pathan YouTube)
