 "Indian pacers earn praise for late fightback at The Oval from hopeless position on Day 4: 'Absolutely magnificent'")
The ongoing Test series between India and England witnessed yet another match enter the final day with the fifth Test at The Oval hanging on a knife edge . England appeared set to cruise to victory on the penultimate day of the series finale thanks to centuries by Harry Brook and Joe Root when a late fightback by the bowlers rekindled the Shubman Gill-led Indian team’s hopes of pulling off a series-leveling victory.
England were staring a series-clinching victory at 301/3 shortly before tea, thanks to a mammoth 195-run fourth-wicket partnership between Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) when the former was dismissed by Akash Deep, holing out to Mohammed Siraj at mid off.
Indian pacers fight back late in the day to keep series hopes alive
However, it was when Jacob Bethell (5) and a well-set Root departed in quick succession after tea, both getting dismissed by Prasidh Krishna, that the Indians starting believing again, and their supporters rediscovered their voices.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith was batting on 2 after facing 17 deliveries with Jamie Overton yet to open his account after facing eight deliveries when bad light forced brought the session to a halt. That was followed by a downpour in London that forced the ground staff to bring the covers out in a flash, with the umpires eventually signalling stumps earlier than expected.
Both former cricketers as well as fans heaped praise on the Indian attack for not giving up in a hopeless situation and fighting on. Here are select reactions:
Impact Shorts
More ShortsCome on, Prasidh. Win us this test tomorrow. You can do it. Wickers baratte. Stick to your strength #ENGvIND https://t.co/jQ0InZF133
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) August 3, 2025
Whatever happens here it’s just another example of Test Cricket being absolutely magnificent.
— Adam Canning (@ACanning10) August 3, 2025
We must do everything we possibly can to preserve it and keep it as the pinnacle of the sport.#ENGvIND
No. Other. Sport. Provides. This.
— Geoff Norcott (@GeoffNorcott) August 3, 2025
#ENGvIND
Whatever happens from here Mohammed Siraj is one brilliant and highly watchable Test cricketer. Skilful, feisty, competitive and yet can disarm us all with his infectious smile. Chapeau. #ENGvIND
— Mark Pougatch (@markpougatch) August 3, 2025
Five matches, five weeks, 24 days of fierce competition.
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) August 3, 2025
There is nothing quite like Test cricket.#BBCCricket #ENGvIND
Root gone & India need 3 wickets but Eng need just 36 runs ..😬😬#INDvsENG #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/h7sNIOC7eX
— Gagori (@gagori_uin) August 3, 2025
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