'I wish I didn't...'- Harry Brook reflects on his poor decision during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

After Mohammed Siraj dropped Harry Brook on the boundary rope in the morning session of the fourth day at the Kennington Oval, the right-handed batter smelt an opportunity to free his arms to activate the Bazball mode and smash the bowlers around the park to release the pressure. And he did during a huge partnership with his Yorkshire teammate, Joe Root.

Harry Brook thumped a swashbuckling 111 off 95 runs in a potential game-changing stand to take them to 301/3 in the chase of 374 runs. But soon after that, he miscued a big shot, losing the grip of his bat handle as it flew off his hands, with the ball ending up in the hands of the field at covers. He didn’t predict that they would lose 7/66 from that position.

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‘My thought process was just to try and hit as many runs as quickly as possible. Like I said, the game's done if we need 40 runs with me and Rooty in there; if I get out there [with 40 to win], the game's still done. It didn't work. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, and obviously, I wish now that I didn't play that shot and get out.’ Harry Brook expressed in the post-match presentation.

Harry Brook reflects on his poor decision during ENG vs IND 5th Test at Kennington Oval

‘I had no idea that we were going to lose seven wickets for 60 runs. You've got arguably the best Test cricketer in the world out there at the time as well in Rooty, and in the back of my mind, [I thought] I'd try and get as many runs as quickly as possible, and the game is done. I had every faith in Rooty that he was going to be there at the end.’ Brook addressed.

It’s a hard place to be for the batter, who has now smashed 10 centuries in 50 Test innings in that fashion. But, perhaps, having known where their lower-order stands at the moment under pressure, he would think thrice before playing such shots.

‘I've played all right. I could have won that game yesterday, which is devastating, but I'm just happy to contribute to as many games (as I can).’ Brook, who ended with 481 runs at 53.44 in nine innings, concluded.