The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings have witnessed significant shifts after India beat England in a thrilling showdown at The Oval to level the series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.
After bad light forced an early closure on the fourth evening, Indian pacers breathed fire at the start of play on the final morning, with pacer Mohammed Siraj standing tall in the absence of spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to lead the pace attack with a five-wicket haul.
Akash, who joined opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as nightwatchman on Day 2—was dropped on 21 and went on to bring up his maiden Test half-century, laced with 12 boundaries, before falling to Jamie Overton for 66.
Not known for reacting to sledges, Root uncharacteristically bit back when Prasidh tried to chirp at him. Though the pacer later brushed it off as mere banter, he admitted surprise that Root responded so strongly.
Woakes is the only quick from the England side to feature in all five Tests of the series, and has bowled 181 overs, more than anyone else across the two teams, picking 11 wickets.
With England leading the five-match series 2-1, Gambhir urged the visitors to build on the resilience they displayed in the drawn Test in Manchester, and channel that momentum into winning the final match to square the contest 2-2.
India vice-captain Rishabh Pant, ruled out of the decisive fifth Test at The Oval due to a fractured right foot, shared an emotional message as he prepared to begin his rehab journey.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and the rest of the fast-bowling unit are fit and available for the fifth and final Test against England, starting Thursday at The Oval.
