England vs India, 5th Test: Day Four - Hosts Close to Complete 4-1 Series Victory

Hosts England finished day four of the 5^th Test against India in a dominating position by eking out three quick wickets of India. A 4-1 series win is definitely on the cards with visitors reeling on 58 for three in the second innings at Kennington Oval in London.

The visitors have been set a daunting target of 464 runs. If they achieve the feat, it will the highest-ever total chased down in the history of Test cricket.

The fourth day belonged to England yet again. The visitors had a toil in the field as they were set an unlikely victory target. The day belonged to Alastair Cook, who is playing the final Test match of his career. The English duo of Cook and Joe Root shared a gigantic stand of 259 runs to bat India out of the match.

It was a magnificent knock by the outgoing man, Cook. He looked in complete control of proceedings as he notched up 147. It will rank as one of the most emotional hundreds Cook has hit in his career. It was indeed a special moment for the English skipper as he raised his bat to the crowd for the one last time in international cricket.

Skipper, Root on the other hand, also played a fantastic knock scoring his 14^th Test century. His innings of 125 off 190 deliveries included 13 fours and a hit over the fence.

Root and Cook were dismissed off consecutive deliveries of Hanuman Vihari. The hosts then lost a few quick wickets in a bid to up the scoring rate. Finally, the English skipper declared the innings while asking India to chase 464 runs.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start losing three wickets in just no time. Again it was the failure for Shikhar Dhawan as James Anderson dismissed him without troubling the scorers. Pujara bagged a duck. And to the utter horror of the Indians, captain Virat Kohli returned after facing very first delivery of his innings.

From there on, opener KL Rahul played a few attacking shots against English bowlers. He succeeded in middling a few but survived a few close shaves.

Kohli’s deputy Ajinkya Rahane also batted out the remaining overs as on day four of the 5th Test, India went to stumps on 58 for three. While Rahul is batting on 46, Rahane is unbeaten on 10. On the other hand, England bowlers ruled the roost.