Cook has a dream finish to batting career as 4-1 becomes inevitable

India's only hope to make a comeback in the match was to break the partnership between Alastair Cook (147) and Joe Root (125) early on day four. However, that did not happen as the two batsmen not only piled the runs but piled up the misery on India, both scoring centuries.

ENG - 332, 423-8 dec
IND - 292, 58-3 (18.0 Overs)

FULL SCORECARD

A special day of Test cricket at The Oval comes to an end.

India recover from 2/3 to 58/3 at stumps on day four after Alastair Cook's 147 and Joe Root's 125 helped the hosts set India a target of 464 to win.#ENGvIND scorecard ??https://t.co/LQoNOzv9xA pic.twitter.com/0lU2liLj3x

— ICC (@ICC) September 10, 2018

After struggling a bit on day three, Alastair Cook looked a completely different player on day four as he was right on the money from the first ball. Emotions were on a high when he brought up his 33rd Test ton and more importantly one in his last Test innings with an overthrow just before Lunch.

Joe Root soon followed him to bring up his century. The duo was dismissed on back to back balls by Hanuma Vihari. Alastair Cook left the field amid a thundering round of applause from the crowd at The Oval.

A special day of Test cricket at The Oval comes to an end.

India recover from 2/3 to 58/3 at stumps on day four after Alastair Cook's 147 and Joe Root's 125 helped the hosts set India a target of 464 to win.#ENGvIND scorecard ??https://t.co/LQoNOzv9xA pic.twitter.com/0lU2liLj3x

— ICC (@ICC) September 10, 2018

Each member of the Indian team shook hands with the former England captain as a mark of respect and courtesy. As the highest run getter for England in Tests, he truly deserved every bit of it. England then lost a few quick wickets in a bid to accelerate before declaring at 423 for 8, with a lead of 463.

Under the scoreboard pressure and the weariness of the five-match series, Indian batsmen did not look up for a fight. Opener Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed early on off an incoming full delivery from James Anderson. The straight line worked again for Jimmy as he dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara to equal Glenn McGrath's record of highest wicket-taking pacer in Tests.

India's last hope Virat Kohli too looked a shadow of himself as he poked at a wide delivery from Stuart Broad and paid the price. KL Rahul (46*) then took an ultra positive route which worked for him till the close of play. But this is a double edged sword and you never know how long it is going to work.

With India already three down and still trailing by 406 runs, a 4-1 series victory for England is almost a given. What would be worth seeing for India is whether they go down timidly or go down fighting.

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