London, September 11: England are pushing for a victory on the final day of the fifth and final Test against India at Kia Oval on Tuesday (September 11).
Having posted an imposing total of 423/8 in their second innings, England set India a target of 464. India began their chase terribly, losing their opener Shikhar Dhawan, No 3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli in quick succession to some lethal swing bowling by James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
However, the other opener KL Rahul kept India alive with a fine century. Rishabh Pant too chipped in with a century, but they couldn't take India the stretch.
England have to claim the remaining wickets to clinch a dominating 4-1 series win.
Live updates from Day 5 of the fifth and final Test:
Well, a disappointing end to the series. Despite winning two sessions on the final day, India couldn't hang on and play out a draw. Up next, the Asia Cup.
India fold for 345 after fighting knocks by KL Rahul (149) and Rishabh Pant (114). James Anderson claims 3/45, Sam Curran and Adil Rashid get 2 each.
Broken. James Anderson gets his record-breaking wicket, that of Mohammed Shami and the series ends 4-1 in favour of hosts. Anderson becomes the 4th highest wicket-taker, passing Glenn McGrath (563). And England seal a 118-run victory.
Second for Curran. Ravindra Jadeja plays for the edge again and Jonny Bairstow doesn't make a mistake this time. India 345/9 and England only need one more wicket to make it 4-1. Jasprit Bumrah left.
Referred and lost. Ishant Sharma has to go here, after getting the fainest of edges to Jonny Bairstow. England are 2 wickets away from a 4-1. Ishant believes there's nothing there off Sam Curran, but it's anyway all right now to use the DRS. India 336/8 and Shami comes in.
First slip, second slip, silly point, silly mid off and short leg. Ishant Sharma is really under pressure here from Adil Rashid. He still manages to drift one for a boundary. India 334/7 (Jadeja 3, Ishant 5)
2 missed chances. England could have finished this a lot earlier. First, Ravindra Jadeja edges to silly point, but it's over the man. He then gets a nick of James Anderson, but Jonny Bairstow could only get a finger to it. India are 330/7
Rashid gets another. This time, it's the other big man Rishabh Pant, who tried to go big but only got as far as Moeen Ali at long-off. Beginning of the end? India 328/7
And he does it! Adil Rashid makes it turn like Shane Warne with an unplayable ball to find the off-stump. KL Rahul goes for 149, one short of another milestone like the 199 vs England in Chennai. Ravindra Jadeja in. India 325/6 (Pant 113).
England haven't taken the new ball yet. Possibly hoping Adil Rashid will earn himself a prized wicket? India 325/5 (Rahul 149, Pant 113), need 139 runs.
Adil Rashid is really making the ball turn. But it's no problem for Pant as he hits another big one. James Anderson, meanwhile, is trying to make the ball carry to gully. India 316/5 (Rahul 144, Pant 113) after 78 overs, need 148
In five overs, England can opt for a new ball and we've already seen how lethal they can be when James Anderson and Stuart Broad run in with a shiny red ball. They decimated the top order in two quick overs. That said, KL Rahul, who survived that madness, and Rishabh Pant look confident in the middle. We're set for a cracking final session of the tour. It can go any way now. India need 166 runs or need to survive 30 more overs, while England require five wickets.
30 overs, 131 runs and no wickets. This second has truly been India's and now there's a real possibility of India surviving this Test. At Tea, India are 298/5 (Rahul 142, Pant 101) after 75 overs, need 166 runs to win.
Doing it in style
Six to open his account in Test cricket
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) September 11, 2018
Six to reach his maiden Test hundred!
Well done, Rishabh Pant#ENGvIND
Oval lucky for the keepers?
Highest Test score by an Indian keeper in England...
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 11, 2018
93* by Rishabh Pant
Previous: 92 by MS Dhoni at The Oval 2007#EngvInd
SIX AND 100 UP! It's the same shot - going down on one knee and lofting it over the deep midwicket boundary which sees the little man bring up his first international century. What a time to score it, Rishabh Pant! India 298/5 (Rahul 142, Pant 101) after 74 overs, need 166
SIX! Rishabh Pant moves into the nineties with a brilliant six off Adil Rashid, who's back into the attack. India 290/5 (KL Rahul 141, Pant 94) after 72 overs, need 174
It's getting really difficult to bat now what with Jimmy and Broad deploying the reverse swing against India. KL Rahul almost nicked one, while Rishabh Pant got two edges in the last over. India 282/5 (Rahul 140, Pant 87) after 70 overs, need 182.
We're back to the James Anderson-Stuart Broad combo. Remember, these two are a wicket short of breaking a couple of records. India 274/5 (Rahul 140, Pant 79) after 69 overs, need 190 runs
4-0-0-4-4-0: Rishabh Pant really enjoying himself out there. And Ben Stokes scratches his head. India 265/5 (Rahul 139, Pant 75) in 67 overs. Now we'll have Stuart Broad trying the reverse swing.
This knock could just keep KL Rahul in the squad for the next tour...
With this classy ton, KL Rahul has now scored his first 5⃣ Test centuries in five different countries! 👌🏻#KyaHogaIssBaar #ENGvIND LIVE on SONY SIX and SONY TEN 3. #SPNSports pic.twitter.com/hNcPL3ldds
— SPN- Sports (@SPNSportsIndia) September 11, 2018
England have allowed KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant to settle down and it's getting harder for them to get rid of the two. Besides, Joe Root is not really flinging the most difficult of deliveries, while Ben Stokes' bouncers are not quick enough. India 249/5 (KL Rahul 138, Pant 69) in 64 overs and India need 215 to win.
Alright.
What an unbelievable innings by Rishabh pant.Counter attack at its best.Scored his first 50 of 78 balls.
— Sonu Kumar (@SonuKum30695226) September 11, 2018
Brilliant.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/e2SfmOyfq3
Interesting...
Rishabh Pant's half-century has been excellent fun. It's been built on 33% attacking shots - the only 50+ score by an Indian this series to include more attacking shots was Hardik's second innings fifty at Trent Bridge. #ENGvIND
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) September 11, 2018
Milestones. One at a time. Rishabh Pant cross 32 and his runs exceed the number of byes he conceded. Then, he and KL Rahul stitch together 100 runs. But that's not all, Pant punches a short ball through point for a single that sees him reach fifty, his first in international cricket. For a side playing to survive a Test, India are surely impressive huh? India 233/5 (Rahul 132, Pant 50) in 60.4 overs
England trying something different now and captain Joe Root bowls some spin. He has taken 19 wickets in 74 matches, mind you. India 221/5 (KL Rahul 128, Rishabh Pant 46) after 56 overs
A late cut by Rishabh Pant carries to the point boundary and that brings up 200 for India! Who would have thought? India 204/5 (Rahul 124, Pant 33) after 53 overs
Spin from both ends. The close-in fielders are making it tricky but KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are finding space for themselves to notch up more runs. India 182/5 (Rahul 117, Pant 18) after 48 overs
England will come renewed into the second session and give that final push towards an outright win. KL Rahul, on 108, is currently foiling their plans but for how long? Do join us for the second session of the final day of the final Test between England and India.
It has been a mixed session with India scoring 109 runs, losing two wickets but KL Rahul keeping them alive with a fine century. The session after lunch will be the most challenging one. Can India hold on? India 167/5 at lunch (Rahul 108, Pant 12), need 297 runs more to win.
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