Sandy Verma
Tezzbuzz|04-07-2025
India asserted firm control over the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham against England with a complete performance on Day 2. Shubman Gill stole the show with a commanding 269-run marathon knock that took India’s total to a massive 587. He was well supported by Ravindra Jadaja and Washington Sundarwho chipped in with valuable contributions. In reply, England’s top order crumbled under relentless pressure as Akash Deep struck twice in one sensational over, removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks. Mohammed Siraj then got Crawley to leave England reeling at 25/3. A late mini-recovery from Joe Root and Harry Brook took them to 77/3 by stumps, but India remain firmly on top, leading by 510 runs.
Gill crafted one of the finest Test innings by an Indian batter in England, converting his overnight hundred into a majestic 269. The Indian skipper stood tall across sessions, facing 387 deliveries over eight and a half hours, piercing gaps with class and lofting spinners with authority. His 204-run partnership with Jadeja (89) laid the foundation for India’s total domination.
Jadeja, unfazed and ever-reliable, rotated strike effectively and punished loose deliveries. Sundar then chipped in with a gritty 42, supporting Gill in a 144-run seventh-wicket stand. Gill brought up his double ton with a six and later notched 250 with yet another crisp boundary, showing his composure never dipped. England’s bowling attack appeared toothless across long spells, with Shoaib Bashir (3/167) the only one to consistently ask questions. Eventually, India folded for 587 in 151 overs, their highest Test score in England since 2007. The tone had been set, and the pressure squarely shifted to the hosts.
England’s reply got off to a nightmare start thanks to a fiery burst from Akash Deep. After a quiet first over, he struck twice in two deliveries in his nextfirst getting Duckett to edge a sharp away-seamer to Gill at third slip, then removing Pope with a fuller delivery that took the edge to Kl satisfiedwho completed the catch on second attempt.
England were 13/2, and the mood had already turned grim. Siraj then piled on the misery by removing Zak Crawley for 19 with a teasing ball that shaped away just enough to draw the edge to Karun nair in the cordon. With England reduced to 25/3 inside 8 overs, Root and Brook began damage control with a cautious 41-run stand. Brook struck a six and a few boundaries, while Root remained composed, but the scoreboard pressure was evident. England ended the day on 77/3 in 20 overs, still trailing by 510 runs. The momentum was entirely with India, who now hold all the aces going into Day 3.
Also WATCH: ENG vs IND: Joe Root celebrates like never before after ripping through Washington Sundar’s stumps on Day 2 of Edgbaston Test