The penultimate day of the final Test between England and India ended in a gripping stalemate, with the hosts needing 35 runs to win but with only four wickets in hand. Play was called off at 6pm due to bad light and rain, despite the Oval later being bathed in sunshine, leading to frustrations from spectators.
England were cruising at 337 for four, driven by centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root. Brook's thrilling 111 off 98 balls and Root's 105 put them in command before India's bowlers struck back after tea. Root fell to Prasidh Krishna, then Brook top-edged Akash Deep to be caught, and Jacob Bethell was bowled for five, leaving England six down and still 35 short.
The defining moment came when Mohammed Siraj dropped a catch off Brook on 19, inadvertently tipping the ball over the boundary for six after stepping on the rope. Brook went on to score his tenth Test century, while Root, who survived a tight lbw review, reached his 39th. The pair added 195 for the fifth wicket before India's late surge.
England will resume on the final day with Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton at the crease, having added just two runs from 20 balls before the stoppage. Chris Woakes, with a dislocated shoulder in a sling, is unlikely to bat. India, needing to level the series at 2-2, will have the second new ball available after 3.4 overs, adding to the tension.
The match remains finely poised, with both teams believing they can win. The crowd's derision at the early end to play only heightened the drama of a contest that has kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout an epic series.
