The fourth day of the England versus India Test match concluded with controversy after umpires decided to end play early at The Oval. England was pursuing a target of 374 runs, with the game becoming increasingly competitive as the day progressed. After some dramatic shifts, the day was stopped due to poor light, followed by a rain break. Although the weather cleared, the umpires called stumps, which prompted significant criticism. Stuart Broad voiced his disapproval, describing the decision as “lazy” and stating that the match should have proceeded. This decision was made just before the final possible cut-off point. With England requiring 35 runs and India needing four wickets, the final day is set to be a thrilling contest. England held a slight advantage due to the option of using a heavy roller on the pitch, potentially helping their batsmen. Meanwhile, India’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, looked dangerous at the end of Day 4. Root and Brook had previously established a strong position for England with a significant partnership. An English victory would mark their third instance of successfully chasing over 350 runs in recent encounters against India.
