England need 35 more runs with four wickets in hand to beat India in an astonishing final Test after a barely believable fourth day was halted by rain and bad light.
In scenes of incredible tension and in a raucous atmosphere at The Oval, England reached 339-6 in pursuit of a record-breaking 374 when the weather wiped out the final hour’s play.
Sublime centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root looked to have England coasting to their target, only for India’s outstanding seamers to deliver a grandstand finale.
Brook, on 111, lost his bat in miscuing Akash Deep to mid-off, Jacob Bethell was bowled attempting a wild hack and a poking Root was caught behind for 105.
Jamie Overton joined Surrey team-mate Jamie Smith on their home ground with 37 required. Chris Woakes, not seen since the first day because of a suspected dislocated shoulder, prepared to bat.
Both Smith and Overton struggled to lay bat on ball as Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna summoned one final effort. The scoreboard barely moved.
Overton had just survived a review for caught behind off Krishna when the umpires decided the light was not sufficient, then the rain arrived.
It means this epic series will be concluded on Monday morning. Either England will win 3-1 or India will level at 2-2. The outcome is on a knife-edge.
