Chris Woakes injury: In contention to bat on Day 5 if situation demands in the Oval Test against India

As the fifth and final Test between England and India heads into a thrilling climax at The Oval, the hosts have not ruled out the possibility of Chris Woakes coming out to bat despite the all-rounder suffering a dislocated right shoulder earlier in the match. Woakes' injury happened while fielding on Day 1, with initial assessments ruling him out of any further part in the game. 

However, ahead of the final day’s play, Joe Root has confirmed that the 35-year-old could still bat if the situation demands it. "He's all-in, like the rest of us," said Joe Root during the press conference. This opens up the possibility of Woakes batting on day 5 in the lower order if England lose more wickets in their chase.

At stumps on Day 4, England were 339 for 6, needing 35 more runs to complete a record 374-run chase and take the series 3-1. With just four wickets in hand and Jamie Smith already at the crease, the hosts may find themselves relying on their tailenders, including a possibly one-armed Woakes, to cross the finish line. 

Woakes, a key figure in England’s Test revival over the past year, was seen in the dressing room with a bandage on his left shoulder on day four. His willingness to bat if needed speaks a lot about his mentality as a player. Ollie Pope, who is leading England in the absence of Ben Stokes, will be super excited ahead of the final day as England might win the match and the series as well.

This potential Day 5 twist adds another layer of thrill and excitement to what has already been a gripping series finale. If Woakes does walk out to bat, it would mirror similar moments of grit, like when Rishabh Pant batted with an injured foot earlier in the series. Regardless of whether Woakes takes guard, England are on the brink of a famous win. But if things go down to the wire, the image of Woakes walking out with a strapped shoulder could become one of the defining visuals of this series.