India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel didn’t hide his emotions after Joe Root’s crucial dismissal late on Day 4 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Root, whose century had once again placed England in the driver’s seat, was finally undone in the final session, offering India a glimmer of hope. Morkel confessed that the England veteran had given the Indian team “many sleepless nights” throughout the series and expressed visible relief upon his departure.
“Oh, I was very happy, very happy,”Morne Morkel said after the day’s play. “Joe’s given me — or us — many sleepless nights. He showed his class again today, but I was relieved when we finally got the back of him.”
Root’s 105 off 152 deliveries was a masterclass in control and patience until he nicked one to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel while attempting one of his signature third-man dabs. The dismissal tilted the momentum back slightly in India’s favour, just as the match appeared to be slipping away.
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India’s team composition for this Test, however, raised eyebrows. Opting for two spin-bowling all-rounders alongside a lone specialist batter and just three fast bowlers, the strategy appeared to backfire. With The Oval offering little for spinners, the pace trio of Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna bore the brunt of the workload.
Morkel explained that the decision was based on anticipated conditions and a desire to bolster the batting lineup. “That was part of the discussion before every selection,” he said. “Looking at the surface and overhead conditions for the first three days, we felt the extra batter could be valuable.”
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He further elaborated that in previous Tests, India’s fourth seamer wasn’t used extensively as Jadeja and Washington Sundar could hold an end. “We felt those extra runs might matter more. But yes, that’s a fair question, and we’ll definitely reflect post-tour on what could have been done better.”
As the series finale heads into its last day, England stand at 339/6, needing just 35 more runs to seal a 3-1 series victory. India, on the other hand, require four wickets to pull off a memorable comeback and level the series 2-2. With Root finally back in the pavilion and the momentum slightly shifting, the stage is set for a thrilling finish at The Oval.
