A dramatic day of Test cricket at The Oval saw England inch closer to a famous series win, thanks to a breathtaking hundred from Harry Brook and a composed unbeaten knock from Joe Root. But just before tea, India missed a golden opportunity that could have shifted the momentum — a dropped return catch off Jacob Bethell that left the Indian fielders stunned. The moment came in the 65th over when Bethell miscued a leading edge back to the bowler. Akash Deep turned sharply to complete what looked like a simple catch, but slipped badly as his spikes got stuck in the turf. The ball landed agonisingly close to the stumps at the non-striker’s end, with Siraj watching on in disbelief. Bethell had survived — and England marched on.
Earlier, England were 106 for 3 and still needed 268 runs when Brook walked in. The right-hander counter-attacked brilliantly, smashing 111 off 98 balls to notch up his 10th Test century in just 50 innings — placing him ninth on the all-time list for fastest to the milestone. Joe Root, batting with calm authority, ended the session on 98 not out. The pair added 195 runs for the fourth wicket, grinding India down on a pitch that had begun to ease. At tea on Day 4, England were 317 for 4, needing just 57 more runs for victory and a 3–1 series win. England look firmly on course for a famous win. From here, India will need nothing short of a miracle to turn things around on a flat pitch and with a soft ball.
