ENG vs IND 2025: Root, Brook tons put England in front before India strike back

An enthralling fifth and final day awaits as England require 35 runs to win with four wickets remaining after early stumps on the fourth day at The Oval in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. A spell of rain ruled out the chance of having a result on the fourth day.

The first session belonged to the Ollie Pope-led team after they scored 114 runs for the loss of two wickets. Ben Duckett brought up his fifty early in the day before Prasidh Krishna struck in his first over  to dismiss t him for 54 off 83. Stand-in skipper Ollie Pope (27 off 34) departed after being pinned in front soon afterwards.

India had another chance come their way but Mohammed Siraj stepped on the boundary cushion after completing Harry Brook’s catch in the deep to reprieve him on 19. The moment proved costly as Brook cashed in while batting alongside Joe Root. The two stitched together a 195-run stand for the fifth wicket. By the time Brook departed for 111 off 98, England had gone past 300. Root got to his 39th Test hundred after play resumed in the third session and dedicated it the knock to his former batting coach and mentor Graham Thorpe.

Jacob Bethell’s 31-ball stay came to an end after he chopped the ball onto the stumps to head back for a five-run score. The hosts found themselves six down after Prasidh managed to scalp the big wicket of Root (105 off 152) as he nicked him behind. There were a few overs under overcast conditions in which Indian bowlers tested England. However, the on-field umpires had to take the players off the field due to poor light. A rainy spell then forced to call off proceedings for the day at The Oval.