After a seesaw of high drama and two centuries by Harry Brook and Joe Root, the fifth Test between India and England heads into a nail-biting finale at The Oval. England need just 35 runs to win with four wickets in hand, while India needs four breakthroughs to level the series 2–2 . With momentum swinging between both sides, this match remains open.
 Session by Session: A Tug-of-War at The Oval
This Test has become a microcosm of fluctuating fortunes. In the early stages, England seemed dominant: Brook and Root stitched a 195-run stand, taking the score from 106/3 to 297/3 by lunch. Brook raced to 111 and Root reached 105, appearing all set to seal victory.
Yet, India bounced back dramatically in the fourth session. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj struck in quick succession—removing Root and Brook—to tighten the screws. By the close of Day 4, England had crawled to 339/6, with play halted due to fading light and rain
England’s Slide: India’s Bowling Reignited
When Brook and Root fell, it was India’s pace battery revving into life. Prasidh Krishna, often criticised for his pace and consistency, soared under pressure and bagged four wickets in the match. Siraj’s fiery spell turned a seemingly guaranteed chase into a highly uncertain pursuit .
India’s fielding energy rose in the final session, with a sharp catch by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel off Root’s edge and overthrows giving Jacob Bethell no chance to survive. Pressure regained its place, and England’s lower order was visibly frayed. With Chris Woakes injured and unlikely to bat*, India sensed the path back into the match
 England’s 197-Lookalike Chase: Slipping Through the Fingers?
England’s opening in this series—most notably the 371 chase at Headingley—had textbook Bazball written all over it: fearless strokeplay and relentless intent . On Day 4 at The Oval, Brook and Root again reminded everyone of that ethos, yet their dismissals ignited India’s famous resilience.
Now, with England’s run-chase almost within reach—just 35 left—it’s also the moment history looks askance at the slips: Root and Brook under pressure, wicketkeeper Wood repeatedly beaten, and field placements re-shuffled.
Can India Pull Off the Impossible?
If India is to complete a comeback, here’s what needs to happen:
1. Prasidh Krishna and Siraj-must strike twice more—preferably by bringing in relentless speed and swim.
2. Pressure tactics: reverse-swing attack, bounce at short lengths, and slant-field bodies to claustrophobia.
3. Focus on tail: The remaining English batsmen (Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton) lack experience—primitive mistakes await.
4. Mental fortitude: India have defended low totals before; here, they must instill fear rather than reverence.
 Final Verdict: A Test on a Knife’s Edge
India’s champions have risen before when written off: think of the 2021 Lord’s collapse avoidance, or the famous 2022 opener at Edgbaston. With four wickets in hand and England needing just a few more runs, India remain in this match, even as things look bleak.
If the weather holds, fatigue rises, or nerves crack at the other end, India’s spine—led by Siraj and sponsored by Krishna—may pull off the unexpected*. It’s not just about wickets; it’s about rewriting the story and leveling the series. Time will tell, but in this Test full of hooks and bouncers, the fate of the series hangs by a thrilling thread.
Also Read: ENG vs IND: Joe Root’s 39th Test Century Steers England To Brink Of Victory