In a gripping day filled with tension and played out before a boisterous crowd, England closed on 339-6 while chasing a record 374, only for the weather to halt play in the final hour.
Centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root had seemingly set England on course for a comfortable win, but India's superb pace attack reignited the contest with a late flurry of wickets.
Brook, having reached 111, lost his bat while miscuing Akash Deep to mid-off. Jacob Bethell followed soon after, bowled playing an ill-advised slog, and Root was caught behind for 105 after a tentative prod.
That left Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton, both playing on their home ground, with 37 still needed. Chris Woakes, nursing a suspected dislocated shoulder since day one, was preparing to bat if required.
As the tension mounted, Indian seamers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna tightened the screws, making scoring near impossible. Overton narrowly survived a review for a faint edge off Krishna just before poor light intervened — and then the rain came.
The thrilling series will now reach its conclusion on Monday morning, with England eyeing a 3-1 win or India fighting to draw the series 2-2. The result remains on a knife-edge.
Fifth Rothesay Test, The Kia Oval (Day 4 of 5)
India: 224 (Nair 57; Atkinson 5-33, Tongue 3-57) & 396 (Jaiswal 118; Tongue 5-125)
England: 247 (Crawley 64; Krishna 4-62, Siraj 4-86) & 339-6 (Brook 111, Root 105)
England require 35 runs to win; India need 4 wickets
At the close of the second day of the fifth Test at The Oval, India held a slender 52-run lead at 75-2, capitalizing on England's costly fielding lapses to take control of this series decider.
On a rain-interrupted opening day at The Oval, England clawed their way to a strong position, reducing India to 204-6 in 64 overs, but their joy was tempered by a worrying injury to key seamer Chris Woakes.
Australian legend Nathan Lyon believes Jack Leach is still England’s best spinner, picking him over Shoaib Bashir.
Newcastle have opened discussions with Southampton over a potential move for England international goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with both loan and permanent options being explored.
