After leaving out Jasprit Bumrah, losing the toss and enduring a rain delay on the final morning, India crushed England by 336 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston to square the series 1-1. This victory was also India’s first-ever Test win at this famous ground.
The hero of the moment was Akash Deep, who replaced Bumrah and grabbed the chance with both hands. He finished with his first-ever five-wicket haul in Tests, taking six for 99 and bowling England out for 271 in their second innings. His match figures of ten wickets made him only the second Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma in 1986 to dominate so thoroughly in English conditions.
Shubman Gill’s performance made this win even sweeter. The new Test captain scored centuries in both innings, including a double, and ended with an incredible 430 runs in the match. He also caught the final wicket off Akash Deep’s bowling, the pair celebrating together before being mobbed by teammates as the stands erupted.
England were never really in the chase after India set them a massive target of 608 runs. Jamie Smith was the standout for the hosts, scoring 272 runs in the match including a battling 88 on day five, but his efforts were not enough. Akash Deep bowled with superb control and movement, removing England’s top order with accuracy and skill. The final-day pitch offered just enough help, with cracks producing unpredictable bounce that left the English batters struggling.
Rain delayed play by more than two hours but India needed only seven wickets when play resumed. Akash trapped Harry Brook lbw early with a ball that nipped back sharply. Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith briefly threatened a fightback with a 70-run stand, but Washington Sundar broke that with a clever piece of drift and turn to remove the England captain for 33.
Prasidh Krishna chipped in by dismissing Chris Woakes, and though Smith kept counter-attacking, he fell trying to hit Akash for three sixes in a row, caught by Washington Sundar at deep backward square. Smith’s match tally set a new record for the most runs by an English wicketkeeper in a Test, but that was little consolation.
A few missed chances by India delayed the inevitable, but the final wicket fell in fitting fashion: Brydon Carse hit one to Gill off Akash Deep, sealing a memorable win.
The crowd of 18,000 cheered India’s dominant display, a performance that erased the disappointment of their defeat at Leeds. With the series now level at 1-1, the stage is set for an exciting finish at Lord’s.
