The fourth day of the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval ended in frustrating fashion, not just for fans but also for former England pacer Stuart Broad.
As rain and bad light stopped play with England needing just 35 more runs to win, Broad took to social media to express his disappointment at the early call-off made at 6 PM BST.
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India started the day with two early wickets as Ben Duckett and captain Ollie Pope returned to the pavilion. However, a 105-run stand between Joe Root and Harry Brook put the English in the driver's seat.
The momentum somewhat changed after Tea when Root followed Brook out of the ground. With India needing three wickets to win the match, or four, depending on whether Woakes comes out to bat despite injury and 35 runs for England to clinch the clash and the series, the game currently hangs in the balance.
Stuart Broad called the umpires' decision “lazy”
Just minutes after play was officially called off, Stuart Broad shared his views on X (formerly Twitter), clearly unhappy with how the situation was handled.
Broad wrote that everyone at the train station had their sunglasses on. He felt that fans deserved a finish that evening and added, "Felt a lazy decision to call it off at 6pm in my opinion. I wonder who makes it?"
Still 20 mins away from possible start time, everyone has their sunglasses on at the train station. Felt the supporters deserved to see a finish to that Test Match today. Felt a lazy decision to call it off at 6pm in my opinion. I wonder who makes it?
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 3, 2025
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Broad’s frustration echoed the sentiments of many fans who had stayed through the day expecting a result.
What exactly happened in the match before the rain came?
Before the weather intervened, the Test had built up to an exciting finish. England were chasing 374 runs and had reduced the target to just 35 runs, ending Day 4 on 339/6.
Joe Root brought up his 39th Test hundred, while Harry Brook’s 111 off 91 balls had shifted momentum strongly in England's favour earlier in the day.
India, however, clawed their way back with two crucial wickets in quick succession. Prasidh Krishna removed Jacob Bethell and Joe Root in back-to-back overs, breathing life into India's bowling attack.
The pitch was offering assistance, and with the ball swinging and seaming post-Tea, India still had a chance with just four wickets left to take.
But around 5.30 PM local time, play was halted due to bad light and intermittent rain. The umpires decided not to resume, leading to a premature close.
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Given that only about 30 minutes more were needed to wait for potential resumption, many, including Broad, believed it was worth a shot.
When will the final day of the series take place?
The fifth and final day of this thrilling Test and the last match of the series will resume on Monday, August 4.
England are 339/6 and need just 35 runs. India, on the other hand, must pick three wickets quickly and hope Chris Woakes, who has a dislocated shoulder, doesn’t bat.