England opener Alastair Cook scored a magnificent century in his farewell test to put the home side in complete control of the fifth Test against India at Oval.
Resuming the day at 114/2, Cook along with Joe Root added 259 runs for the third wicket, before the debutant Hanuma Vihari struck in consecutive deliveries – by getting rid of the skipper for a well made 125 and Cook for 147 in the very next ball.
Root got two reprieves, first on 46, when Rahane dropped him at slip and then on 94 by Cheteshwar Pujara off Mohammed Shami in the 77th over. He then went on to score his 14th test hundred.
Shami after toiling hard was finally rewarded with the wicket off Jonny Bairstow who was out bowled for 18 runs.
Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Sam Curran fell in quest for some quick runs, as England were in sight of a declaration.
The home side closed their innings at 423/8, leaving India a target of 464 runs to win the match.
The visitors in the second innings faltered, as they lost Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli in quick succession.
However as seen on slowbouncer website Kohli has been India’s best batsman in this series with 593 Runs.
However in his final innings of the tour he fell for a golden duck. caught off Jonny Bairstow of the bowling of Stuart Broad for a golden duck.
James Anderson (2/23) equalled Glenn McGrath’s record of 563 Test wickets.
KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship by adding an unbeaten 56 runs stand and saw the day 4 through with any further alarms.
India finished the day at 58/3, still needing 406 runs on the final day.
England 2nd innings (423/8) – (Alastair Cook 147, Joe Root 125 ) Ravindra Jadeja 3/179 & Hanuma Vihari 3/37.
India second innings (58/3) at stumps on Day 4- (KL Rahul 46*) James Anderson 2/23.