England needs 35 more runs to beat India as fifth Test thriller goes to the last day of the five-match series.
Published On 3 Aug 2025
It’s going to be a Monday morning thriller to decide the cricket series between England and India after bad light and rain forced an early end to play in the fifth and final Test, with England needing another 35 runs to win.
England was 339-6 at stumps on day four on Sunday, chasing a target of 374. England leads the series 2-1.
India needs to claim another four wickets – perhaps three – for victory and tie the series.
England has potentially only three wickets left because of all-rounder Chris Woakes’s shoulder injury. Woakes was seen in his cricket whites at the Oval on Sunday, but with his left arm in a sling amid speculation he would come out at number 11 if needed and bat one-handed.
Joe Root was again England’s saviour on Sunday with 105 runs, and Harry Brook hit 111, as England aimed to pull off another awe-inspiring run chase.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (2 not out) and bowler Jamie Overton (0 not out) are at the crease.
England chased down 371 in the Leeds opener, its record run chase at Headingley.
Root and Brook had hit what looked