Just when you thought this series couldn’t get any more intense, England and India are hurtling toward a dramatic finish in the final Test at The Oval.
With tempers flaring and neither side backing down, what began as a spirited contest is now teetering on the edge of all-out war — cricketing war, that is.
India Fight Back with Jaiswal’s Blazing Knock
At one point, England looked on track to wrap up the series with a 3–1 win.
But by Friday evening, India had flipped the script.
Yashasvi Jaiswal stormed out with purpose, surviving two early drops to notch a rapid-fire 51 from 49 balls.
He helped push India to 75 for two at stumps — a slender lead of 52 runs, but with England a bowler short and clear skies ahead, the visitors suddenly looked right back in it.
Missed Chances Haunt England on a Wild Day
It wasn’t just India’s determination that turned things around — England let them off the hook with a string of missed chances.
Harry Brook couldn’t hold onto a sharp catch at second slip, and substitute Liam Dawson fumbled another at long leg.
Zak Crawley added to the tally, dropping Sai Sudharsan in the slips before Jamie Overton finally got his man LBW for 11.
The day saw 15 wickets fall and just as many mood swings.
Tensions Boil Over as Verbal Spats Take Centre Stage
The heat wasn’t just on the pitch. When Sudharsan was dismissed, he had words with the England team, sparking yet another flashpoint.
Ben Duckett was right in the thick of it, with Brook — of all people — playing peacemaker.
This back-and-forth has been brewing for three Tests now, and both sides seem unwilling to take a backward step.
No Holding Back with the Trophy on the Line
With the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy at stake, the edge was sharp right from the start.
After England’s Gus Atkinson took a brilliant 5-for in India’s first innings of 224, the visitors came out all guns blazing in the field.
Ben Duckett played a gutsy knock of 43 but found himself on the receiving end of some questionable conduct after Akash Deep dismissed him. Deep’s arm around Duckett and words in his ear didn’t sit well.
Cricket etiquette typically demands a moment of quiet after a dismissal — Deep’s move crossed a line. To Duckett’s credit, he didn’t retaliate.
Ponting Applauds Duckett’s Composure
Watching on, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting praised Duckett’s restraint.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said, “I like the way Ben Duckett plays his cricket. I like him even more now. Hats off for not reacting.”
But the tension didn’t ease. Prasidh Krishna got into it with none other than Joe Root, a player known for his calm.
Even KL Rahul seemed fed up, sarcastically telling umpire Kumar Dharmasena, “What do you want us to do, keep quiet? Bat, bowl and go home?”
Siraj Steps Up in Bumrah’s Absence
India’s bowlers turned the screw. Siraj got Pope LBW and Root caught for 29.
Jacob Bethell, in his first home Test innings, lasted only six runs.
By tea, Krishna had knocked over Jamie Smith and trapped Jamie Overton in the same over.
Brook’s fighting fifty did give England a tiny 23-run lead, but the damage had been done.
Siraj, in particular, was outstanding. With Jasprit Bumrah absent — and having surprisingly not ended up on the winning side in any of the three Tests he did play — Siraj stepped up.
He now has 18 wickets this series, one more than Ben Stokes, and could end up being the only pacer to play all five Tests.
Wearing Thorpe’s Spirit Like a Badge
In a touching nod to late coach Graham Thorpe, Siraj came out after tea wearing a special headband — the same one that became popular during Surrey’s ‘A Day for Thorpey.’
It was a fitting tribute in a match that Thorpe would’ve relished: tense, scrappy, and hanging in the balance.
England Lose Woakes to Injury at a Crucial Time
To make matters worse for England, Chris Woakes is now out with a shoulder injury.
With the winter Ashes on the horizon, that’s a massive blow.
His absence weakens England’s bowling lineup just when they need every hand on deck.
Final Day Promises Fireworks and Settled Scores
With everything still to play for, the final day could be explosive — literally and figuratively.
Despite all the aggression, there are whispers that the teams actually respect each other behind the scenes.
But don’t expect hugs anytime soon.
This fiery summer of cricket might just go out in a blaze.