England Nears Record Chase Against India in Oval Test Final Day

The fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval is heading to a nail-biting conclusion, with England needing just 35 runs and India requiring three or four wickets for victory. India’s tactical decisions, particularly by captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, have come under sharp criticism from veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who highlighted the underuse of spinners like Washington Sundar at crucial moments, which allowed England to gain momentum. A pivotal moment occurred when Mohammed Siraj caught Harry Brook but stepped on the boundary rope, turning a potential wicket into six runs; Brook capitalized on this, scoring a blistering 111 runs. England’s Joe Root also played a vital role, scoring 105 before his dismissal sparked celebrations for India. The fourth day was cut short due to bad light and heavy rain, pushing the match into a final day where the outcome remains uncertain in this fiercely contested series. Both teams have displayed resilience and drama throughout, making for a gripping finale with the possibility of a record run chase or a rare tie.