England Needing 35 Runs India Seeking 4 Wickets Final Test Decider Oval

The final Test match between England and India at The Oval has reached an unprecedented fifth day, with England needing just 35 runs to win and India requiring four wickets to level the series. England's commanding position was largely built on centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook, who forged a crucial 195-run partnership, but late breakthroughs by India's seamers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj tightened the contest. Rain and bad light prematurely ended play on day four, leaving the match poised on a knife-edge with all four possible outcomes—England win, India win, draw, or tie—still in play. England's ability to chase down challenging targets has been proven earlier in the series, and their use of the heavy roller on the final morning could ease batting conditions. Despite injury setbacks to key players like Chris Woakes and the absence of Ben Stokes, England has shown resilience throughout, though lapses such as dropped catches and extras conceded have kept India competitive. This dramatic conclusion marks the climax of a fiercely contested series, with the final result to be decided in what promises to be a tense and historic final session.