Brook's century leaves India staring at familiar fate

Harry Brook's blistering 91-ball century on the fourth afternoon put England firmly in control, with only 57 runs needed for a 3-1 finish to the Test series. His 195-run partnership with Joe Root left India searching for answers in a 153-run session until an unforced error from the 26-year-old handed them a breakthrough. But by then, the damage had been done, leaving India staring at yet another defeat while defending a 370-something total against England.

Brook's century, the 10th of his career and the fastest ever fourth-innings hundred against India, came in what had hitherto been the most bowler-friendly session of the Test. His knock, featuring 14 fours and 2 sixes, could have ended on 19. Earlier in the morning, he mistimed a short ball from Prasidh Krishna to fine leg, where Mohammed Siraj, who had just returned to the field after an inspired eight-over spell, completed the catch but ended up stepping over the boundary rope.

Brook, undeterred by his reprieve, went after Krishna again in the same over, swinging through the line and adding two more boundaries to his tally. But unlike at Lord's, where he lost his stumps attempting a sweep against a fast bowler, Brook showed better judgement here and once Shubman Gill spread the field, he was content to dial things down and still admirably managed to score at over run-a-ball.

His innings finally came to an end on 111 when he charged down the track against Akash Deep and sliced the ball to Siraj, who completed the catch comfortably this time. But that missed opportunity may yet come back to define India's day and the series.

With the ball in hand though, Siraj hardly put a foot wrong. Earlier in the day, he troubled Duckett repeatedly on the outside edge from over the wicket and the opening batter, having been softened up enough, chased a full delivery from Prasidh Krishna and edged a drive to KL Rahul at slip.

Ollie Pope, the fidgety starter that he is, looked in good touch during a short stay, striking boundaries on either side of the ground including a pristine on-drive. But his innings ended with one of the more unplayable deliveries Siraj has bowled this series: a wobble-seam ball that landed on the divots and jagged back viciously to trap him in front. That dismissal gave Siraj his 20th wicket of the series, confirming his status as the leading wicket-taker.

Akash Deep struggled to make an impact with the old ball, which forced India to turn to spin from both ends. But his dismissal of Brook has given them an unlikely way back into the contest. Another opportunity followed when Jacob Bethell miscued a pull shot, but he survived as Akash Deep's spikes got stuck in the pitch, preventing what could have been a straightforward return catch.

India also took a punt with a review against Root, but the impact turned out to be outside off. Root, unbeaten on 98 at Tea, remains central to England's record chase, just as he was at Edgbaston in 2022 and Headingley in 2025.

Brief Scores: India 224 & 396 lead England 247 & 317/4 (Brook 111, Root 98*, Duckett 54; Siraj 2-91) by 56 runs.