In a stunning turnaround at The Oval, Harry Brook’s explosive 91-ball century has set England’s control of the fifth Test almost certainly in stone, leaving India facing defeat again in defending a target of over 370 runs. With England needing just 57 runs to complete a 3-1 series victory, India is full of an all-too-familiar feeling: one of their bowlers having to defend a massive fourth-innings total against an English onslaught.
Brook’s knock, his 10th career hundred and the fastest ever fourth-innings Test century against India, was forged in what had been the most difficult session for batsmen during this Test. His productive partnership of 195 with Joe Root busted India’s hopes: together, they flayed 153 runs in a single session, leaving India’s fielders and bowlers scrambling for answers. Brook’s assault was not without drama, however. He was fortunate to survive on 19 when a mis-timed hook was “caught” on the boundary by the recently returned Mohammed Siraj in, who had just flung down a fiery over, but stepped over the line to give Brook a slip.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Brook continued to punish the bowlers, combining forces of entertainment (aggression) with rationale (common sense) that was reminiscent of his ill-fated sweep at Lord’s, before he showed restraint as India spread their field. Even so, he was scoring an average of over a run-a-ball, exerting extreme scoreboard pressure.
Brook’s eventual dismissal for 111, when he charged Akash Deep and offered Siraj an easy catch, provided India with the slightest glimmer of hope, as England were only 57 runs behind, where momentum is heavily in favour of the hosts and this missed opportunity may be sorely needed by India’s close by the end of the day.
Siraj had earlier dazzled with the ball taking his 20th wicket of the series to become the leading wicket-taker, and did well to keep the English batsmen honest in dismissing Duckett and then bowling Ollie Pope with a brilliant delivery. Akash Deep, on the other hand, had a tough day with the older ball, although he did manage to dismiss Brook. Opportunities came and went for India; Bethell survived a mishit due to a fielding error, and a DRS gamble against Root didn’t come off, with the impact outside off.
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At Tea, Joe Root was at 98 not out, reassuring England’s run chase anew as he did in before remarkable run chases at Edgbaston in 2022 and Headingley in 2025. Unless India can be inspired – and quickly – they are staring down the barrel of a concluding chapter all too familiar: a scary total, a determined English run chase, and yet again the prospect of losing another Test series before the end.
