In a riveting turn of events, rain and bad light brought a dramatic halt to proceedings on Day 4 of the series-deciding final Test, stretching the contest into a mouthwatering Day 5.
Just as England appeared poised to seal a memorable victory, a spirited fightback from a resilient Indian unit, led by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, reignited their hopes of an improbable comeback.
At tea, England had cruised to 317 for four, needing just 57 runs to complete a daunting chase. The commanding 195-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook had all but taken the game away from India.
But as has often been the narrative of the English summer, India, bloodied but unbowed, found a way to claw back into the contest.
Root and Brook had dominated the afternoon session, blunting both pace and spin with class and confidence. Brook, aggressive and flamboyant, slammed a quickfire 111 off just 98 balls — his second hundred of the series — while Root was all grace and composure, reaching his 39th Test ton (third of the series and 13th against India).
Their partnership seemed to drain all fight out of the Indian camp, and at one point, it looked like England would coast to the finish line.
However, the complexion of the game changed post-tea.
Brook was dismissed just before the break in a moment that revived Indian energy — attempting a lofted drive, he lost his bat in the process and handed a simple catch to Siraj at mid-off. The dismissal ignited a sudden shift in momentum.
Soon after the interval, Prasidh Krishna sent shockwaves through the England camp. First, he knocked over Jacob Bethell’s stumps, exposing a chink in England’s seemingly solid chase.
Then, the prized wicket of Root followed. Prasidh drew Root into a false shot outside off-stump, and the former England captain nicked one behind to the keeper. From a comfortable 317/4, England were suddenly six down for 337.
The old ball that had offered little assistance earlier in the day suddenly began to reverse and seam under the lights. Siraj, tireless and intense, kept asking questions with his reverse swing and aggressive length. The scoreboard stagnated, and the required 37 runs started looking daunting for the home side.
With Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton at the crease and the second new ball just 3.4 overs away, the umpires halted play due to poor light. Not long after, rain arrived, ending any hopes of resumption and pushing the enthralling contest into a fifth and final day — one that promises to be a classic.
Earlier in the day, India had shown character right from the first session. England had resumed at 50/1, needing another 324 runs to overhaul the target. Mohammed Siraj, relentless as ever, shared the new ball with Akash Deep and delivered an inspired opening spell of eight overs.
It was Prasidh Krishna, though, who struck first. He enticed Ben Duckett into a booming drive and had him caught at second slip in just his fourth delivery of the morning.
Siraj, having dismissed Zak Crawley on the last ball of Day 3, continued to bowl with pace and fire, and soon removed Ollie Pope with a sharp nip-backer that trapped him plumb in front. Pope had looked ominous, stroking three consecutive boundaries off Prasidh in the previous over, but Siraj had the final say.
Joe Root then took charge and played with characteristic poise, unfurling some stunning cover drives, especially against Siraj. Brook, meanwhile, brought his attacking instincts to the fore. He lofted Akash Deep for a six over extra cover and enjoyed a slice of luck when Siraj caught him at the fine-leg boundary only to step on the rope, gifting six runs.
The Indian pacers, especially Siraj and Prasidh, bowled extended spells and gave everything on what could have been the final day of a grueling five-match series.
Unfortunately for India, the spinners — Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar — failed to make an impact. They weren’t given long spells and were unable to trouble the well-set English batters.
The energy in the field visibly dipped when Brook nonchalantly caressed Akash Deep for four through the covers. But cricket, ever a game of uncertainties, turned once again, as India pounced on the smallest of opportunities and found themselves on the brink of a potential heist.
With England six down and needing 37 more, and India on the cusp of a new ball, the final day promises to be a fitting climax to a pulsating series.
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