Highlights, India vs England, 5th Test at The Oval, Day 5, Full Cricket Score: England win by 118 runs, clinch series 4-1

Joe Root, England captain: Very gratifying. It’s been a very tough series. I am sure everyone watching must be very thrilled and will know that Test cricket is in safe hands. Was slightly tensed. Both the lads played fantastically well. Credit to India for playing the way they did and our lads as well to hold their nerves. Alastair’s been an exceptional player. Huge part of our dressing room the way he sets the standards. Jimmy’s still got a lot to offer. In my opinion, this is the best he has ever been. We are growing all the time as a team. Thanks to all the supporters. They have been fantastic.

Virat Kohli is India’s man of the series.

Kohli: Lot of credit has to go to those two young guys. Three wickets down ad Jinks got stuck with KL. And great to see those two (Pant and Rahul). The scoreline might not reflect it but but both sides know how close the series was. Test cricket is alive and it was a great advertisement of the game. The basic idea was to just go out there and play the game. Those two guys were scoring runs freely, We were not just waiting and watching. 

Take nothing away from Pant and Rahul. We have character in the team and we need more experience in order to how close things. 

There will be things we will sit down and think about. I think we missed quite a few. But no regret of anything. I think we have been competitive. You hardly have draws in series like this. Barring Lord’s , we have not been outplayed in the series, we need to learn from mistakes. 

Sam Curran made very important contribution. It takes character for someone to do what he does. Guy came and was fearless and he was smart as well. 

There should be exciting finish all over ther world. I don’t believe in safe cricket. The fans will come and watch when the teams want to win. 

To Alastair Cook, you had a great career and congratulate you on your future, all the best.

England’s Player of the Series, nominated by India coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli, is Sam Curran. 

Sam Curran: It is just nice to be involved in such a historic series. (Did you think you would be the Man of the Series) Not really to be honest. It’s obviously nice to contribute. I tried my best and it paid off. Definitely, I am quite a person who tries to keep it as simple as possible. For Jimmy to become the higest wicket-taking pacer was awesome. I think consistency is the main part. For instance, the stats that Jimmy and Broady have got. (On the first match) It was one of those games that if you do it once, you can do it again. (Ready for the new ball?) No not at all, Broady and Jimmy have got that for a long time.

Alastair Cook is the Player of the Match. 

Cook: Yeah, it has been the most amazing week. Great to see England win and also been a great game of Test cricket. The memories of wins and playing with other teams have stayed. The way KL and Rishabh played, tells you how tough Test cricket is. Amazing reception I have got. All my friends and family have come on day 4 and day 5. To see Jimmy go past McGrath; wicket is great. Makes it easy that I will never stand at first slip to him.

Just been a privilege to play in this team. The hard work that goes into cricket, I will miss that, the pressure. You miss the highs and lows. It will be great to see how they develop from here. 

This week cannot be beaten, I can walk away with my head held high.

Glenn McGrath’s 563rd Test wicket was James Anderson and at that time, Anderson had only 46 wickets in his career and now after 4267 days, Anderson has gone past McGrath to become the highest wicket-taker among pacers in Test cricket.

No of Test defeats for India under Virat Kohli in Tests:

Till 2017 – 3
In 2018 – 6

All the Indian players line up to congratulate Alastair Cook. He takes the last walk back to the dressing room, to never return again in England whites. An emotional moment for him but even in this emotional moment, does not forget to make a kind gesture to his teammate James Anderson, who just went past Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 wickets as he asked Jimmy to lead the team out but Jimmy, obviously, refused and returned the favour. Cook led the team back to dressing room and fittingly so.

James Anderson: Happy to win the game. I was not even thinking about the record. I was going through really good rhythm. Thankfully, Joe gave me the new ball. Cook has been my best mate (He breaks down speaking on Cook’s last Test match).

Most wickets by pacers in Test cricket:

564 – JAMES ANDERSON*
563 – Glenn McGrath
519 – Courtney Walsh 
434 – Kapil Dev
433 – Stuart Broad

And it’s over… Anderson bowls Shami to become the most successful fast bowler in history of Test cricket. Oh, and England won too taking the series 4-1.

OUT!  England win by 118 runs. Here’s the number 564th wicket for James Anderson, as he has stumbled the stumps of Shami. He has gone past Glenn McGrath’s tally of 463 wickets.  Shami b Anderson 0(3)

Anderson continues.

After 94 overs,India 345/9 ( Mohammed Shami 0 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Jadeja’s gone too. The last possible chance of a draw has gone too. Bumrah the new man in. Leaves the last two balls of the over. 14 overs left but this can get over any moment now.

Jasprit Bumrah, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Beautiful from Curran, outswing and takes the edge of Jadeja’s bat, this time Bairstow does not make a mistake. England just one wicket away from making it 4-1 in this series. Jadeja c Bairstow b Sam Curran 13(46)

FOUR! Crisp from Jadeja, on the legs and he glances it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Curran continues.

After 93 overs,India 341/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 9 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Anderson continues. Bowling pretty well. Inside edge on the penultimate ball of the over fetches four. Jadeja takes a single to keep the strike. 15 overs left in the day.

FOUR! Inside edge off Jadeja’s bat and this goes to fine leg boundary.

Ishant nicked off with that new ball. Two wickets to go. Anderson needs one.

Anderson continues

Mohammed Shami, right handed bat, comes to the crease

After 92 overs,India 336/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 4 , )

Curran replaces Rashid and the move was certain with the new ball in hand. It was going to be difficult angle for Ishant, coming over the wicket. And he has perished doing the same. 16 overs to go in the day.

OUT! The ball takes the edge off Ishant’s bat and goes into the hands of Bairstow. Curran with the wicket. India 8 down now. Ishant c Bairstow b Sam Curran 5(24)

England with the new ball in the 91st over. A school of thought says they are too late… but then 17 overs remaining and they only need three deliveries.

Sam Curran into the attack now.

After 91 overs,India 335/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 3 , Ishant Sharma 5)

New ball taken by Anderson and Anderson now comes from over the wicket to Jadeja. Ishant defends it well. He has a lot of heart we all know. Has done it on many occasions, giving support from the other end to a more able batsman. 17 overs more to go today. Anderson keeps the search for the 564th wicket, to go past McGrath.

Second new ball has been taken. England need three wickets. India have to bat out 18 overs.

18 overs to go and England haven’t yet taken the new ball. This is going to be a gripping end to a gripping series.

DRINKS!

After 90 overs,India 334/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 3 , Ishant Sharma 5)

Rashid continues. From round the wicket to Ishant, with five fielders around his bat, he keeps on using the pads and then sweeps one for a boundary. 18 more to go.

FOUR! Ishant had enough of defending and he sweeps Rashid to deep mid-wicket boundary.

Rashid continues.

After 89 overs,India 330/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 3 , Ishant Sharma 1)

Jadeja is walking in to Anderson, to negate the swing. The one that comes in, he defends, the one which goes away, is left. Good strategy thus far. Chances are both the bowlers will be replaced soon. Stokes for Anderson and Moeen for Rashid. 19 overs more. India hangs on.

Anderson continues.

After 88 overs,India 330/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 3 , Ishant Sharma 1)

This is still a good track to bat on, and we are reminded of this when Ishant Sharma drives it to the point fielder. The pair hangs on. Let’s see for how long. 20 more overs to go today.

Dropped. Jadeja given a life by Jonny Bairstow… and denies James Anderson his record 564th wicket.

After 87 overs,India 330/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 3 , Ishant Sharma 1)

Anderson continues. Almost got Jadeja in the over. Bairstow who has been superb throughout the day, drops it. Went too much to his right and could not dive in time to get the catch.

After 86 overs,India 330/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 3 , Ishant Sharma 1)

Rashid continues. There was a chance to get Ishant and it will not be surprising if these chances keep on occuring in the overs to come.

After 85 overs,India 328/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 2 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Anderson continues and the hopes of a win might have been dented but knowing how well Jadeja played in the last innings, we can hope for the two to keep on digging in there. Pant takes his own moment in the middle, closes his eyes and murmurs something, trying to calm himself down.

Rashid continues. Four fielders around the bat of Ishant.

After 84 overs,India 328/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 2 , )

Pant’s gone. India’s hope of a far-fetched win as well. But a draw is yet possible. Ishant Sharma and his guts have the answer. Can he stay there for remaining 23 overs in the day? Can Jadeja play the best innings of his Test career? This day has swung like a pendulum. We kept our eyes on the overs remaining when the day begun, switched it to number of runs left when Pant and Rahul got going and now again to the numbers of overs left.

And Pant has mishit it.. Continued his attacking mode and well… can you say thrown it away? Surely his wicket. Don’t know about the Test, but this is a matter of time now with the new ball due.

OUT! Pant tries to go big over the long-off but does not connect well, holds out at long-on where Moeen Ali does not make a mistake. Pant c Moeen Ali b Adil Rashid 114(146)

Rashid continues.

After 83 overs,India 326/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 113 , Ravindra Jadeja 1)

Anderson continues and the hopes of a win might have been dented but knowing how well Jadeja played in the last innings, we can hope for the two to keep on digging in there. Pant takes his own moment in the middle, closes his eyes and murmurs something, trying to calm himself down.

Anderson continues.

After 82 overs,India 326/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 113 , Ravindra Jadeja 1)

Rahul departs. Outdone by a rising leg spin delivery from Rashid. This was a superb knock, worthy of a standing ovation which he got from the Oval crowd. But now is India going to stick to the plan of chasing this down? The kind of shots Pant is playing, sweeps, reverse-sweeps, it does not seem so. Jadeja is the new man in.

Pant takes a light break, has a drink and will continue to bat.

Pant injures his foot by reverse-sweeping the ball on it.

204 runs stand b/w Pant and Rahul today 

– Second highest for India in the 4th innings of a Test

– Second highest for the 6th or lower wicket in the 4th innings of a Test

You cannot play that… just cannot play that! Rashid with massive turn from the rough half a meter outside the leg stump. And off stump is gone… you want to say it’s magical, but that’s more rough than anything else. Still, unplayable and Rahul goes back after a massive knock for his Test career.

Ravindra Jadeja, left handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! The rough has worked for Rashid, he comes round the wicket and the ball rises off the rough on pitching, spins and takes the top of off stump. Rahul b Adil Rashid 149(224)

Rashid continues.

After 81 overs,India 325/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 149 , Rishabh Pant (W) 113)

Second new ball available now. Anderson sticking to the old one. Some movement off the pitch but Pant is aware of the situation of the match, does not go for the big shot. Anderson teases him around the off stump line. Very well negated by Pant.

Second new ball available now. Anderson continues with the old one.

Pant now throwing his bat to everything. This is silly. Oh, and 200 is up… their partnership that is. Test series remains intriguing, even in the last session.

After 80 overs,India 324/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 148 , Rishabh Pant (W) 113)

200-run partnership comes up for Pant and Rahul. This is a brave effort from the two. They have demoralised England. Not that the hosts cannot win it from here but it is reflective of the fact that had India batted like this in the series, result of the series would have been different.

Double century stands for India in the 4th innings of a Test:

Chetan Chauhan/Sunil Gavaskar v England, The Oval, 1979

KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant v England, The Oval, 2018*

A few more attacking strokes… especially from Rahul. You have to wonder if India are looking to make a break for it. 140 runs to get. Statistically, this is not impossible.

Highest individual scores for India in the fourth innings of a Test:

221* – Sunil Gavaskar v England, The Oval, 1979

148* – KL Rahul v England, The Oval, 2018*

146* – Dilip Vengsarkar v Pakistan, Delhi, 1979

200-run partnership comes up for Pant and Rahul. WE can hear all of India applaudin this gutsy effort from the two men in the middle right now in India whites.

Rashid continues.

After 79 overs,India 320/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 148 , Rishabh Pant (W) 113)

Anderson charges in and has been hit for a boundary on the leg side. India’s intentions are now crystal clear, they are going for a win. Anderson too chooses to ask the keeper to come up to the stumps.

FOUR! KL Rahul flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. It is clear, India want to win this one.

After 78 overs,India 316/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 144 , Rishabh Pant (W) 113)

Rashid continues. He is sticking to round the wicket to Rahul, trying turn it like Shane Warne, but failing, the target maybe is to pitch it on the rough. India keep getting byes and leg byes thanks to the shabby bowling and wicket-keeping. Pant dents Rashid with the last-ball lofted drive over the covers.

FOUR! Loopy delivery from Rashid and Pant sits and lofts it over the covers for a boundary.

Rashid continues.

Rishabh Pant is the first Indian keeper to score a century in SENA countries.

After 77 overs,India 307/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 143 , Rishabh Pant (W) 109)

Anderson continues. The new ball is not too far away from us and it could still change the course of the game. Bit of nervous moment as Anderson charges in to bowl. The last session is always a tricky one and this one trickier as it will decide the fate of the match.

Anderson continues.

After 76 overs,India 305/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 142 , Rishabh Pant (W) 108)

Alright we are back from Tea. Rashid with the first over of the last session. 300 has come up for India. Pant hits a massive hit over long-off. This is the highest sixth-wicket partnership for India and England. Going strong at the moment.

SIX! 300 for India and that has come in some style as Pant hits one over the long-off boundary for a huge one.

33 overs to go. Five wickets. New ball due in five overs. And if it matters… 166 runs to get. This is the equation as one last session remains in the English summer.

Back from TEA.

Rashid to bowl the first over in the last session. Pant on strike.

Indian players completing maiden Test ton with a six:

Kapil Dev

Irfan Pathan

Harbhajan Singh 

RISHABH PANT*

After 75 overs,India 298/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 142 , Rishabh Pant (W) 101)

TEA!

And the tea will taste sweeter to Pant and Rahul. Maybe Kohli will serve them the tea. Joke apart, this a top-class modern-day Test batting from Pant and Rahul, respected the good balls and scored on the loose ones. On the other hand, Root panicked under pressure and let the Indians dominate. Go get your drink as well and come back as the last session has all the ingredients of a close finish.

Brilliant. Just brilliant from Pant. He has batted in fifth gear here at this crucial juncture and made it work… somehow. This is why he was brought into the Test side and he has made it count. India have found a keeper-batsman, atleast for a while now.

Two batsmen scoring a century for India in the fourth innings of a Test:

v England, Manchester, 1959

v West Indies, Port of Spain, 1976

v New Zealand, Hamilton, 1999

v England, The Oval, 2018

Wicket-keepers to score a century in the fourth innings of a Test:

Alan Knott v Australia, Adelaide, 1975

Moin Khan v Sri Lanka, Sialkot, 1995

Adam Gilchrist v Pakistan, Hobart, 1999

Mushfiqur Rahim v India, Chittagong, 2010

Matt Prior v New Zealand, Auckland, 2013

AB de Villiers v India, Johannesburg, 2013

Rishabh Pant v England, The Oval, 2018*

Youngest keepers to score a century in Tests:

20y 148d – Ajay Ratra v WI, St John’s, 2002

20y 338d – Rishabh Pant v England, The Oval, 2018*

21y 183d – Vijay Manjrekar v WI, Kingston, 1953

Anderson continues.

After 74 overs,India 298/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 141 , Rishabh Pant (W) 101)

Rashid is coming round the wicket to Rahul now, trying to take help of the rough outside. Does not matter. The kid from Delhi has a Test ton to his name, at The Oval, against Engand, at a crucial juncture of the game. He brings it up with a six, gets a hug from Rahul. Dressing room applauds. India need 166 runs to win.

SIX! Rishabh Pant arrives in Test whites, his first Test hundred, just doing what his senior from Delhi cricket has done for years, reaching hundred with a six. Don’t ask who this man is? The man of the moment right now is Rishabh Pant. WHAT. A KNOCK.

Rashid continues.

After 73 overs,India 290/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 141 , Rishabh Pant (W) 94)

Anderson continues. Sunil Gavaskar in commentary tells us what right Rahul has done in this innings. He has remained much still and relaxed and now tried to shuffle in his crease too much. His bat speed too has been changed and also he is playing more close to his pads. That has made all the difference.

Anderson continues.

After 72 overs,India 290/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 141 , Rishabh Pant (W) 94)

Rashid back into the attack and BANG, Pant sees the ball and hits the ball. What a welcome to Rashid into the attack. Pant is into his 90s. On 94, will he for the glory shot to get to his 100?

SIX! Whooho, this is a monster hit from Pant, takes the aerial route and hits it to his favourite area – deep mid-wicket.

Rashid brought back into the attack.

After 71 overs,India 282/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 140 , Rishabh Pant (W) 87)

Anderson continues. This is typical Anderson, keep changing the length with the same line of attack. But no damage caused. Rahul is settled in well. He is 193-balls old in this match.

Pace on again for England as they are now done with spin and want to see what the fast bowlers can do. This should liven up proceedings especially with new ball due soon.

Anderson continues.

After 70 overs,India 282/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 140 , Rishabh Pant (W) 87)

Broad has asked Bairstow to come up to the stumps. Wonder if this a plan or Broad does not want to bowl at his full strength. Pant hits a boundary on the first ball and last ball of the over. These runs are denting England.

FOUR! Around the off stump line, Pant defends but the ball takes the edge and runs through the slip cordon for a boundary. More runs.

FOUR! Broad races in, with Bairstow up to stumps, Pant guides the ball through the right of slips to fetch a boundary.

Broad comes in again and Bairstow has come up to the stumps. Two slips.

 150-plus stands in the fourth innings of a Test for India this decade:

Virat Kohli/Murali Vijay v Australia, Adelaide, 2014

KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant v England, The Oval, 2018*

After 69 overs,India 274/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 140 , Rishabh Pant (W) 79)

Anderson is back. 150-run partnership between Pant and Rahul up now. This will be remembered for a long time, irrespective of the result of the Test match. Anderson almost makes Rahul edge one into the gloves of Bairstow. Got to be watchful here.

Rishabh Pant now holds the record of scoring most runs in the 4th inning of a Test among Indian keepers eclipsing MS Dhoni’s 76* against England at Lord’s in 2007.

Anderson is back too.

After 68 overs,India 270/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 140 , Rishabh Pant (W) 79)

Broad into the attack now. Where were you, Broady? And Jizz, Rahul almost gave a wicket on the very first ball, as the bat handle got stuck in his hand as he tried to play a shot. Pant too played a risky shot, fetched him a four but it was too dangerous a shot at this stage. Important for India to negate this period. If Broad and Anderson fail to pick a wicket, the tension will be too much on England.

FOUR! Dangerous, Pant flicks it through the mid-wicket, the ball does not connect well, goes past the mid-wicket fielder but only just.

Alright, Stuart Broad into the attack. Hold you breath, people!

Youngest Indian keepers to score a fifty outside Asia in Tests:

18y 299d – Parthiv Patel v Australia, Sydney, 2004

20y 148d – Ajay Ratra v West Indies, St John’s, 2002

20y 338d – Rishabh Pant v England, The Oval, 2018*

After 67 overs,India 265/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 139 , Rishabh Pant (W) 75)

Stokes continues. Pant is playing some exquisite strokes. The target is below 200 now. Things have turnaround drastically for India and they will have to fight for some more time here, not just for survival but maybe now for a win.

FOUR! Short ball from Stokes, not well executed, Pant pulls it away for a boundary. Enters into 70s.

FOUR! Short ball and Pant slaps it through the point for a boundary.

Stokes continues.

After 66 overs,India 253/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 139 , Rishabh Pant (W) 63)

Root continues and we don’t why. Are both Anderson and Broad not available? 3 runs from the over but containing runs should not be on Root’s mind at this point of time.

Only 43 overs left in this innings. 15 overs to get the second new ball. You think England are waiting for another wicket and then make inroads. This partnership has been quick-scoring but it is time Pant and Rahul buckle down. It is a matter of one wicket here.

Root continues.

After 65 overs,India 250/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 138 , Rishabh Pant (W) 61)

250 up for India. Stokes is bowling well but the India batsmen continue to shine. The target is now getting close to 200.

Stokes continues.

After 64 overs,India 249/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 138 , Rishabh Pant (W) 60)

Root continues. He has bowled well but it is not enough to guarantee a wicket for England. They need wickets now or the match will get closer and closer to a draw or a possible India win even. Where is Anderson, even if Broad is not there to be bowled?

FOUR! Root comes from round the wicket and Rahul steps put, reaches from the ball which is wide of the off stump, and hits it for a boundary.

Root continues.

After 63 overs,India 243/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 133 , Rishabh Pant (W) 59)

Stokes continues after drinks. He opts for two slips and a gully. Rahul plays it well. Takes the single off the last ball and keeps the strike.

Stokes continues.

DRINKS!

After 62 overs,India 242/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 132 , Rishabh Pant (W) 59)

Root continues. Pant looking to go big on the leg side, but gets a leading edge. No damage as the ball lands safely. Root comes from round the wicket, Pant uses his feet and slashes it through the covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Root comes from round the wicket to Pant, bowls a loopy offspinner, Pant covers the stump and drives it through the covers.

Root continues.

After 61 overs,India 236/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 132 , Rishabh Pant (W) 53)

Stokes continues. Pant has reached his maiden fifty and this is a gutsy effort from the young man. When he arrived at the crease, we speculated and thought how he would go on in this innings. Many of us would have thought he might play those risky strokes but Pant has made strong case for his saner self.

Maiden Test half-century for Rishabh Pant. Turning out to be a nice day for India overall, even if they do go on to lose from here. They can atleast pat themselves on the back and say we fought, which is what they have been doing this whole series.

FIFTY for Pant. Plays it on off-side and gets to his maiden half-century in Tests. After series of failures, Pant’s showing sign of improvement.

Stokes continues.

After 60 overs,India 231/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 131 , Rishabh Pant (W) 49)

Root continues and he has been successful enough to slow down the run flow. But India going well at the moment.

Root continues.

After 59 overs,India 230/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 131 , Rishabh Pant (W) 48)

Stokes continues. India batting superbly at the moment and the time is now to bring back Anderson or Broad or both of them.

Stokes continues.

After 58 overs,India 228/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 130 , Rishabh Pant (W) 47)

Root continues. Very interesting as Pant is beaten by an off-spinner. He is not bowling too bad. The rough comes back to haunt Engand in the last ball as the ball keeps low, the batsman misses it, keeper misses, the ball races away for a boundary.

Root continues.

Two century stands for India in the 4th innings of a Test:

v WI, Port of Spain, 1976

v England, The Oval, 1979

v WI, Basseterre, 2006

v England, Chennai, 2008

v England, The Oval, 2018*

After 57 overs,India 223/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 129 , Rishabh Pant (W) 47)

Stokes continues. He is coming from round the wicket to try and restrict Pant’s shot-making by bowling into his body. Pant negates it well.

Stokes comes in from round the wicket.

After 56 overs,India 221/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 128 , Rishabh Pant (W) 46)

Joe Root has brought himself into the attack. Maybe to ask the batsmen to play more riskier shots. Root was trying to bowl the leg-breaks, trying to pitch it on the rough.The first over is a maiden.

Joe Root brings himself into the attack.

Century partnership between Pant and Rahul. This has come off just 112 balls. India looking good at this phase of the game.

Pant has unleashed some ferocious attacking shots here. Seems like he has been given a license to go and attack, whether it works or not is a different matter. And it is working out fine. It is wonderful to see him bat with such freedom, albeit India are too far off to even dream of a win. Joe Root to bowl.

After 55 overs,India 221/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 128 , Rishabh Pant (W) 46)

Alright Stokes gets the ball in hand, spinners should be off now. But it does not change the way Pant is batting, he continues to play his shots. Root for the first time in a long time has his face covered by his palms, rubs the head. Is this game changing?

FOUR! Stokes fires in from round the wicket, on the pads of Pant, and he flicks it through the mid-wicket.

Spinners’ performance in this series:

Wickets | Average | SR

India: 21 | 33.33 | 67.4

England: 20 | 25.95 | 46.3

FOUR! Stokes comes in, Pant cuts him for a boundary to right of third man.

Ben Stokes into the attack.

After 54 overs,India 213/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 128 , Rishabh Pant (W) 38)

Moeen continues. This is a good effort from Pant, he is looking comfortable in the middle. Hitting the odd boundaries and rotating the strike. Moeen changes angle to Rahul, comes round the wicket but to no avail, Rahul comes out and hits a boundary to long-off.

FOUR! Moeen comes round the wicket to Rahul, he uses his feet, reaches the pitch of the ball and hits it through the mid-off for a boundary.

FOUR! Eye-sooting, Pant uses his feet to reach to the ball and hits it through the covers for a boundary.

Moeen continues.

After 53 overs,India 204/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 124 , Rishabh Pant (W) 33)

Rashid carries on. Pant defending well now and not leaving any opportunity that is coming by his way to score runs. In case if Indian fans have almost given up on the chase, India need 260 to win. Gettable?

FOUR! Lovely from Pant, short and little wide, Pant cuts it through point for a boundary, too long a chase for Cook.

Rashid continues.

After 52 overs,India 198/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 123 , Rishabh Pant (W) 28)

India have played 52 overs, 56 still left to be bowled today. Can Rahul do what his nemesis was once famous for? Can Pant repeat what his senior from Delhi did at Napier? Big questions in front of these two. You have to admit that one more wicket here and England will start smelling the victory.

After 51 overs,India 195/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 121 , Rishabh Pant (W) 27)

Rashid continues, Rahul takes singe off the first ball. A long on in place for Pant. Root has seen Pant going for the one over the long-on earlier. Pant realised the threat and stays silent. Takes a single to long-on to rotate the strike.

Rashid continues.

After 50 overs,India 192/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 119 , Rishabh Pant (W) 26)

Moeen continues. Pant using the feet well and defending. Over goes for a maiden.

Moeen continues.

After 49 overs,India 192/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 119 , Rishabh Pant (W) 26)

Rashid continues, to Pant, he targets pitching it on the rough. Pant takes on the challenge and hits one over the mid-on for a boundary. Takes a single to stay on strike. Good batting.

FOUR! Too flighted, pitched on the rough but Pant does not let it spin and picks it from after pitching, ball sails over the mid-on and goes one bounce into the boundary.

Rashid continues.

After 48 overs,India 182/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 117 , Rishabh Pant (W) 18)

Moeen continues. Pant and Rahul rotating the strike well now. There is a magical calmness in which Rahul is going about in this innings. This is good to see. Hopefully, a Rahane-like shot won’t kill the calm-mindedness.

Moeen continues

After 47 overs,India 177/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 113 , Rishabh Pant (W) 17)

Rashid to continue. Rahul-Pant weave a fifty-run stand for the sixth wicket. Rahul has done the majority of hard work here. Pant scored just 13 in this little stand. He hits the four of the last ball. Should do plenty of good to his confidence.

FOUR! Short and wide from Rashid and Pant glides it through the gully for a boundary.

FIFTY-run partnernship achieved between the two Pant’s only contribution in this has been 13 runs. Rahul has done major of the hard work.

Rashid to bowl from the other end.

After 46 overs,India 170/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 110 , Rishabh Pant (W) 13)

Moeen Ali continues after lunch. Rahul takes single off the first ball and gives the strike to Pant. The length of this partnership is dependent on how Pant plays.

Alright, two more sessions to go. Won’t be too easy for this pair. But this is what the Test cricket is all about. Action resumes and Moeen Ali bowls the first ball to Rahul after lunch.

A six and a couple ugly shots against spin summed up Rishabh Pant’s pre-lunch adventure. That’s an interesting ploy to stealing a draw here.

After 45 overs,India 167/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 108 , Rishabh Pant (W) 12)

LUNCH it is!

Alright Adil Rashid gets the ball. The way India are playing, Root must think this is the time to slow the pace of the ball and ask Indians to use power to get boundaries. Pant consistently looked to sweep him but failed every time.

India lost two wickets in this session in a quick succession and England should believe the session belonged to them. The only solace for India was Rahul hitting the ton. Let’s see for how long India can play in the next session.  We will be back in 40 minutes.

Indian players’ first five centuries coming in five different countries:

Ajinkya Rahane (New Zealand, England, Australia, Sri Lanka, India)

KL Rahul (Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies, India, England)

Adil Rashid comes into the attack.

After 44 overs,India 166/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 107 , Rishabh Pant (W) 12)

Moeen continues and Rahul inside edges the first ball but it lands safely. Pant focussing hard against Moeen. Defends four balls well and then out of the blue, comes out of the crease and hits a one-handed six.

SIX! Pant, out of the blue, comes out and hits a one-handed six over the long-on.

Moeen continues

After 43 overs,India 159/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 106 , Rishabh Pant (W) 6)

Stokes continues bowling short and Rahul continues to go for the kill. Pant, on the other hand, taking his own sweet time to get settled. The way Rahul playing reflects of India’s intentions. Do they want to win this one from hereon?

Indian openers to score a century in the fourth innings of an away Test:

Sunil Gavaskar v West Indies, Bridgetown, 1971

Sunil Gavaskar v West Indies, Port of Spain, 1976
Sunil Gavaskar  v Australia, Brisbane, 1977
Sunil Gavaskar  v England, The Oval, 1979

Shikhar Dhawan v New Zealand, Auckland, 2014

KL Rahul v England, The Oval, 2018*

FOUR! Rahul keeps the foot in fifth gear, deflects the short ball to wide of fine leg for a boundary.

Fifth Test hundred for Rahul…. better late than never… Rahul has made a mark on this tour and kept his Test career going. It is his first tour here and he has taken time getting started. It should help in his development curve. This is not an easy pitch to bat on anymore. Even so, loads to do more here still.

KL Rahul’s last Test century before today came in December, 2016. It was against England at Chennai. He scored 10 fifties in between.

Stokes continues.

After 42 overs,India 154/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 101 , Rishabh Pant (W) 6)

Moeen Ali continues. Pant is looking to defend all the balls which is interesting to see. Let’s see if he manages to keep this plan for a long time or not. My guess- He will not.

Moeen continues

After 41 overs,India 152/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 101 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

KL Rahul hits a fifth Test hundred. The knock has come a little too late for him and still he continues to keep India in the game.

FOUR! That’s fifth Test hundred for KL Rahul, and he has scored the final 20 runs in no time really, he smashes the ball to long off, where there is nobody and raises the bat as the ball touches the ropes.

FOUR! And he pulls it this time, although the ball takes the leading edge and flies to fine leg.

SIX! There is no stopping Rahul, predicts the short ball, rocks back, clears front leg and goes big over the covers for a huge one.

Stokes continues.

After 40 overs,India 138/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 87 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

Moeen continues and Rahul is looking to attack him. Not sure if the plan is right here at this stage of the game. But he carries on and has entered into 80s. A hundred would be great but the greater objective should be saving this Test match, no?

Rishabh Pant in this series so far:

Runs scored : 52

Byes conceded : 76

FOUR! Back to back boundaries from Rahul, this time he swept it for a boundary.

FOUR! Off spin from Moeen, Rahul opts for reverse-sweep and gets a four to third man.

Moeen Ali continues.

After 39 overs,India 129/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 78 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

Ben Stokes continues. Right so, he sticks with the short stuff. There is a girl reading a book on clinical medicine. Guess, India need that book at the moment. They have not been clinical at all in this series, except for one match.

Ben Stokes continues

Fifty-plus score and duck on Test debut for India:

G Viswanath v Australia, Kanpur, 1969

Devang Gandhi v New Zealand, Mohali, 1999

HANUMA VIHARI v England, The Oval, 2018*

After 38 overs,India 128/5 ( Lokesh Rahul 77 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

This has been a kind of trend for England. Every time the new ball bowlers failed to take the wicket, the first and second change have provided them with the breakthrough in their first spell. Pant has arrived in the middle and it will be interesting to see how this kid goes about playing, knowing he knows only one way to play.

Ben Stokes has terrorised the Indian middle and lower order in this series…. Vihari his latest victim. One false shot from Rahane and it has opened the door for England. They have two wickets in quick succession.

FOUR! Short ball from Moeen, Pant pulls it from off stump to get a boundary at deep mid-wicket.