India Just 4 Wickets Away—But This ICC Rule Could Change the Game at the Oval

The final Test match between India and England at London’s Oval has reached an exciting stage. The match was expected to finish on the fourth day (Sunday, August 3), but rain in the third session stopped play and delayed the result. Now, the fifth day will decide the winner.

England needs only 35 more runs, while India needs to take 4 wickets to win. Earlier, India had put pressure on England by reducing them to 106 for 3, but a strong 195-run stand between Harry Brook and Joe Root shifted the momentum. The game turned again when Prasidh Krishna took two quick wickets, giving India fresh hope.

Rain Adds Twist to Final-Day Drama

As the match reached a thrilling point, the weather played spoilsport. Now, the fifth day’s play will be decisive. All four results are still possible — an Indian win, an England win, a draw, or a tie. However, the chances of a draw are minimal, as there is no forecast of rain during the first session of the fifth day. Rain is expected during the second and third sessions, but the match may conclude before that.

ICC Rule Increases India’s Worry

A heavy roller might add to Team India’s concerns on the final day. Joe Root mentioned that his team would use a heavy roller before play resumes. According to ICC rules, the batting team’s captain (except before the first innings) can choose to use either a heavy or light roller before the start of a new innings or a new day’s play. The roller can be used for a maximum of seven minutes.

England plans to use the heavy roller on Day 5 to level out the pitch surface. This could reduce assistance for the bowlers and make batting easier. England captain Ollie Pope had also used the heavy roller before the start of Day 4, which reportedly helped the batters.

Heavy Roller Could Be a Game Changer

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle also commented on this issue. He shared a post on X, saying, “More people are now asking why the covers weren’t removed earlier so we could witness this thrilling match. Now the game moves to Monday and the heavy roller might be used — it could prove to be a game changer. Joe Root also spoke about the impact of the roller during a press conference. He said, “The roller has had an effect on this match. We hope that using the heavy roller again will help us and make the pitch even flatter.”

Indian Camp Stays Unbothered

Despite the concerns, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel expressed confidence in his bowlers. He stated that the team is fully prepared and not worried about the roller. Morkel said his bowlers will warm up properly and focus on hitting the right areas during their spells.