New Delhi: India bounced back in style at Edgbaston, producing a commanding all-round performance to level the series 1-1. From Shubman Gill’s historic twin tons to Akash Deep’s dream debut, the second Test had it all—drama, dominance and a history-making captain.
Day 1: Gill’s Grit, Jaiswal’s flow
Edgbaston welcomed both swing and scrutiny as England won the toss and opted to bowl. Chris Woakes set the tone early on in the game by dismissing K.L. Rahul (2) as they tied up the score with a disciplined opening spell. Yashasvi Jaiswal blazed to an unbeaten (87), stitching a key partnership with Karun Nair (31). However, as the top order looked to find momentum, Ben Stokes found a crucial breakthrough just before tea. Nair was dropped by Brydon Carse, who struck just before lunch. India’s middle order fumbled briefly in the final session, with Rishabh Pant (25) and Nitish Reddy (1) falling in quick succession.
On a day when Edgbaston tested both techniques and temperament, Shubman Gill’s (113) calm defiance & an unbeaten century stood as the defining story. The Indian skipper brought up his second century of the series with a flick through midwicket off Joe Root. Jadeja (41) played anchor in the final session as India ended Day 1 of the second Test at 310 for 5. England witnessed early breakthroughs, especially Woakes (2 wickets) and Bashir (1). With the second new ball due early on day 2 and India already past 300, the balance of power remained poised.
Day 2: Gill’s 269, England wobble in reply
England started off with intent, as Josh Tongue struck and removed Jadeja (89). The veteran was unsettled with a sharp bouncer. Before Jadeja’s dismissal, England bowlers were running out of ideas as the all-rounder and Gill brought up their 200-run stand with ease, and it also took India’s total past 400. Gill remained unfazed by England’s short-ball ploys, whether from Carse, Bashir, or even the surprise spell from Harry Brook.
Gill raised his maiden double century with minimal fuss and kept going until sheer exhaustion finally got him. Unlike the collapse in Headingley, India’s lower middle order showed retaliation and defence. Washington Sundar held his end until he misread Joe Root and got bowled. India ended with 587 on the board. England, in reply, stumbled to 77/3 by stumps, with Root (18*) and Brook (30*) holding on under pressure.
Day 3: Siraj strikes, but Smith drags England back
England resumed strongly with Jamie Smith, who was just playing his third test. Smith flipped the script as he brought up his maiden century in just 80 balls, the fastest by an English wicketkeeper. Post-lunch he added 150 in no time; batting with intensity and fluency which led to frustration for India’s bowlers. With an unbeaten 184, Smith scripted a counter-attack masterclass that powered the hosts to 407 in response to India’s 587. Harry Brook, too, stood tall with a gritty 158, before falling to Akash Deep just as he looked set to go further.
Day 3 belonged to Siraj as he produced a fiery burst, thereby removing Joe Root and Ben Stokes in consecutive deliveries which left England rattled. Siraj finished with 6 wickets, his best away performance, but India’s missed chances and England’s lower-order grit meant the visitor’s lead was cut shorter than expected. Jaiswal was dismissed early for 28 in the second innings. India ended Day 3 at 64/1, stretching their lead to 244 runs with K.L. Rahul (28*) and Karun Nair (7*) holding firm at stumps. India looked on to build steadily on Day 4 and set a target that would take England’s resurgence out of the equation.
Day 4: Gill shone again, England wobbled in chase
Shubman Gill turned Edgbaston into his personal playground once again, hammering 161 off 162 balls, his third hundred in four innings as India declared at 427/6, setting England a world-record target of 608. The declaration came late, only after drinks, and not before a restless Hollies Stand broke into chants of “boring, boring India” and Nitish Reddy made a two-ball cameo to pantomime boos. Earlier, Gill and Rishabh Pant lit up the afternoon with a rollicking stand; Pant slapped his fourth ball for six, flung his bat (twice), and blazed a 58-ball 65. Jadeja followed with a slow-burn 50 that caught fire after tea, celebrating in classic sword-swish fashion. Meanwhile, Gill dismantled England’s spin and short-ball plans, launching Woakes and Root into the stands and becoming the first batter in Test history to score both 200 and 150 in the same match.
When the declaration finally came, England were left not just chasing a total, but reeling from a fired-up Indian pace unit. Zak Crawley fell in the first over to Siraj, then Akash Deep produced two hammer blows cramping Duckett into chopping on and clean bowling Root with a ball that jagged away late. At 72/3 by stumps, England were hanging on, with Ollie Pope (24*) and Harry Brook (15*) trying to survive the storm. India, meanwhile, looked locked in hunting a series-levelling win, and backing their young captain who’s suddenly rewriting records by the day.
Day 5: Akash Deep’s dream debut seals India’s Edgbaston win
Rain delayed the start of play on Day 5, but once it cleared, Akash Deep wasted no time. He struck in his first over, removing Ollie Pope with a delivery that seamed in sharply, then sent Ben Stokes back with a mistimed pull, exposing England’s middle order under crumbling pressure. The Edgbaston pitch had begun to misbehave with uneven bounce, making every run a battle. Harry Brook stood firm, but with little support from the other end, the collapse continued. Akash Deep ran through Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes in quick succession, sealing a stunning six-wicket haul in the innings and a ten-wicket match haul on debut, the stuff of dreams.
Brook’s defiant 91 was England’s last hope, but once he edged Siraj to slip, the innings folded quickly. England were bowled out for 271, handing India a thumping 336-run win, their first-ever Test victory at Edgbaston. It was a clinical end to a statement performance, headlined by Gill’s twin masterclasses (269 & 161) and Deep’s match-defining spell. With the series now squared at 1-1, India’s new captain hasn’t just found his footing, he’s kicked the door wide open.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: With biggest Away win & the Birmingham jinx broken, India now head to Lord’s for third England Test