Chris Woakes is showing real courage. He hurt his shoulder but might still bat. England needs only 35 runs to win against India. This is the last day of the Test series at The Oval.
Woakes injured his shoulder on day one while fielding. Doctors first said he couldn’t play more. But he’s ready to help his team if needed. Joe Root, England’s captain, says Woakes is “all in.”
The series score is 2-1 for England. A win makes it 3-1. India wants a tie at 2-2. Fans are waiting to see what happens.
Will Woakes bat with his shoulder injury? Can England win? Check updates on the India vs England match scorecard. This match is full of cricket spirit. Let’s find out how it ends!
Chris Woakes: The Brave All-Rounder
Chris Woakes is a true team player. He hurt his shoulder on day one. Still, he’s ready to bat if needed. This shows his love for England.
The injury happened while he was fielding. His left arm was in a sling. At first, he was ruled out. But Woakes won’t give up that easily.
Joe Root says Woakes is “all in.” He practiced batting with one hand indoors. He even wore his cricket whites again. That means he’s serious about helping.
England needs 35 runs to win. They have four wickets left. Woakes would bat at number 11. He’d be the last man in.
Root hopes Woakes won’t have to bat. But Woakes is desperate to play. He’s in a lot of pain. Yet, he wants to win the series decider.
Other players have batted hurt before. Malcolm Marshall did it with a broken arm. That was in 1984 for West Indies. Woakes could be next.
Cricket has many cricket heroes like him. Woakes might not play the Ashes. His injury needs scans after this match. Still, his courage shines bright.
Fans love this cricket spirit. It’s not just about skill. It’s about heart too. Woakes could make history at The Oval.
Joe Root’s Big Century Boosts England
Joe Root played an awesome innings. He scored 105 runs at The Oval. This was his 39th Test cricket century. It helped England get close to winning.
Root is a top batsman. He has more home centuries than anyone. He beat Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis. Check out Ricky Ponting’s captaincy for more.
His hundred was special for another reason. He honored Graham Thorpe, who passed away. Root wore a white headband for him. It raised £150,000 for charity.
Root and Harry Brook batted together well. They scored 195 runs as a team. This put England near their target of 374. Brook got a century too.
Root has 13 centuries against India. Only Don Bradman has more against one team. Root’s knock was calm and steady. It’s why he’s a cricket legend.
India’s bowlers tried hard. Jasprit Bumrah was tough, see Jasprit Bumrah, India’s Test superstar. But Root kept going strong. He’s a big reason England might win.
This innings means a lot to fans. It shows Root’s skill and heart. England is close to a 3-1 series win. Root’s effort could seal it.
Harry Brook’s Fast Hundred
Harry Brook was super quick. He scored 111 runs in 91 balls. It’s one of the fastest fourth innings centuries. Only a few have done it quicker.
Brook reached ten centuries in 50 innings. That’s super fast in Test cricket. He’s a young star for England. His batting helped a lot.
He got lucky once when dropped. But he kept hitting the ball hard. He and Root made India worry. Brook’s style is bold and fun.
Fans love his energy. He fell after his hundred. Still, he pushed England close. What a player!
Conclusion
The England vs India series is almost done. It’s been exciting and full of surprises. Chris Woakes might bat with a shoulder injury. Joe Root’s century brought England near victory.
Harry Brook’s fast hundred was thrilling too. Both teams have shown great fight. Players like Woakes and Rishabh Pant played through pain. That’s real cricket spirit.
England needs 35 runs to win 3-1. India wants a tie at 2-2. The final day will be big. Will Woakes be a hero?
Follow the action on India vs England match scorecard. Cricket is about bravery and teamwork. This series proves it.
What do you think will happen? Share your guess below! Let’s enjoy the end of this great match.
Joe Root and Series Stats – Oval Test, Day 4
| Stat Category | Record / Highlight |
|---|---|
| Most Test 100s in a Single Country | Root – 24 in England (Most ever) |
| Ponting, Kallis, Jayawardene – 23 each at home | |
| Most Test 100s Overall | Sachin Tendulkar – 51 |
| Jacques Kallis – 45 | |
| Ricky Ponting – 41 | |
| Joe Root – 39 (4th most) | |
| Most Test 100s vs a Team | Don Bradman – 19 vs England |
| Root – 13 vs India | |
| Gavaskar – 13 vs West Indies | |
| Root: 50+ in 4th Innings | 13 times (Joint-most with Chanderpaul, Gayle, Smith) |
| Root: 4th Innings 100s | 4 centuries (Only Younis & Williamson have more – 5) |
| Harry Brook – 10 Test 100s | In just 50 innings (Fastest in last 70 years) |
| Brook: 4th Innings 100 (91 balls) | 7th fastest in Test history |
| Fastest: Jessop (76 balls, 1902), Bairstow (77 balls, 2022) | |
| 100s in the 2025 Series (Ind vs Eng) | 21 total (Joint-most in any series – with WI vs Aus 1955) |
| 400+ Run Scorers in Series | 9 players (Most ever in a Test series) |
| Century Partnerships in Series | 19 (Joint-most in Test series history) |
| Root–Brook Partnership (195 runs) | 85th century stand involving Root |
| Only Dravid (88), Tendulkar (86) have more | |
| England Test 100s at The Oval | 100 tons (2nd venue after Lord’s – 141 tons) |
| Venues with 100+ Test Tons (Overall) | Lord’s – 141 (Eng), MCG – 116 (Aus), Adelaide – 110 (Aus), SCG – 108 (Aus), Oval – 100 (Eng) |
Weather Watch: The X-Factor in the Final Day
Rain and bad light threw a curveball on day four, and the weather looms as the ultimate wildcard on this final day. Will it hand India a lifeline with a draw, or clear up just enough for England to snatch the win? At The Oval, the skies might just decide the series.
The forecast for London looks promising: mostly sunny with a high of 22°C and just an 8% chance of rain. Winds at 26 km/h should keep any showers away, setting the stage for a full day’s play. England will be praying for those clear skies to knock off their remaining 35 runs. But cricket fans know The Oval’s weather can be fickle. Day four’s sudden downpour stopped India’s momentum just as they were closing in, and a repeat could tilt the game again.
The History
History backs this up—weather has meddled here before. In 2019, bad light robbed England of a shot at victory against Australia. If clouds roll in or light fades, India might escape with a draw, keeping the series alive. It’s a twist that’s frustrated teams for years, and today, it could be the difference between glory and heartbreak.
England needs every minute to finish the job, while India wouldn’t mind a delay to regroup. The weather’s unpredictability adds an extra layer of suspense to an already thrilling finish. Will the elements play fair, or will they steal the show? Follow the action and see how it unfolds with Virat Kohli’s Test passion as the backdrop to this epic clash.
