The opening session of Day 4 at The Oval on Sunday was a see-saw battle. England added 114 runs to their chase, however India struck twice, together with the important thing wicket of a well-set Ben Duckett, who scored a half-century. With the match evenly poised, India had a golden likelihood to tilt the sport earlier than lunch, however a fielding blunder by Mohammed Siraj proved expensive.
It unfolded on the primary ball of the thirty fifth over within the ultimate innings of the fifth Check of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy collection. Prasidh Krishna banged in a brief supply, and Harry Brook top-edged a pull in direction of lengthy leg. Krishna started to rejoice, satisfied that the catch was routine. However to the shock of the Indian camp and followers watching worldwide, Siraj, who had his eyes locked on the ball, misplaced consciousness of his place close to the boundary.
Though he accomplished the catch, Siraj’s again foot had touched the rope, turning a possible breakthrough right into a six. Horror struck him immediately. He buried his face in his palms and prevented eye contact along with his teammates. Krishna was left surprised, his celebration abruptly reduce quick. Within the Indian dressing room, head coach Gautam Gambhir was completely surprised on the sight.
Having survived a dismissal scare that may have despatched England 4 down earlier than lunch, Brook turned the strain again on India with successive boundaries in opposition to Krishna in the identical over.
Because the gamers broke for lunch, Siraj walked as much as Krishna and apologised for the error, with the 2 sharing a hug to place it behind them.
England had been 164 for 3 on the finish of the primary session on Day 4, nonetheless needing 210 runs to succeed in the goal of 374 that may give them a 3-1 collection win.
Joe Root, the world’s top-ranked Check batter, was unbeaten on 23, whereas Harry Brook was on 38*, having struck 4 fours and two sixes.
England resumed on 50 for one beneath overcast London skies, with Ben Duckett racing to a fast fifty earlier than falling in Prasidh Krishna’s first over of the day. Later, captain Ollie Pope was undone by a high quality supply from Mohammed Siraj that trapped him lbw.