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In a performance that will be etched into cricketing folklore, India overturned a 58‑year-old jinx at Edgbaston, demolishing England by a staggering 336 runs on Day 5 of the second Test. With the series now poised at 1‑1, Shubman Gill’s side has sent a fearsome message ahead of Lord’s.
Day 5 Drama: From Rain Delays to Roaring Victories
Day 5 began under a veil of uncertainty, with intermittent rain delaying play and prompting nervous glances from both camps. However, once the covers were off, India seized control. Akash Deep – stepping in for the rested Jasprit Bumrah – ripped through England’s tail with a career-best spell. Striking early to dismiss Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, Deep finished with a match haul of 10 wickets, including a stunning six-for in the final innings.
Seamers Shine: India’s Pace Battery Delivers
On a pitch that had transformed into a seamer’s dream, India’s fast bowlers put on a clinic. Mohammed Siraj’s six-wicket haul in the first innings laid the foundation, while Akash Deep completed the destruction on Day 5. India’s combined pace effort reaffirmed their bowling depth, especially in overseas conditions where swing and seam rule.
Captain Fantastic: Shubman Gill’s Golden Moment
Shubman Gill, India’s youthful captain, led from the front with twin centuries — a masterful 269 in the first innings and a solid 161 in the second. His composure, tactical acumen, and intent marked him out as a generational leader. At just 25 years and 301 days, he became the youngest Indian captain to register a Test win overseas.
His decision to bat first after losing the toss turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as England’s gamble to bowl backfired completely. Gill’s decisions on field placements, bowling changes, and DRS usage were spot-on throughout the match.
England’s Bold Call Backfires
England opted to bowl first on a greenish Edgbaston pitch, hoping for early breakthroughs. But their strategy misfired. Their bowlers lacked discipline in the first innings, and the cracks widened as India piled on a mammoth score. Head coach Brendon McCullum later admitted the decision was a mistake, one that tilted the entire match in India’s favour.
While England mounted a spirited fightback through a gritty 88 by debutant Jamie Smith and some lower-order resistance, they lacked the batting spine to weather India’s relentless pace attack.
Stokes Under Pressure, India on the Rise
Ben Stokes, England’s talismanic captain, is now under growing scrutiny. With scores of just 33 and a golden duck, his struggles continued. His form, combined with questionable tactical decisions, has ignited debates about his leadership under pressure. England’s batting unit, once feared for its aggressive style, now appears inconsistent and susceptible to collapses.
What’s Next: Lord’s Holds the Key
With the series now tied 1‑1, all eyes shift to Lord’s for the third Test beginning July 10. India’s emphatic win at Edgbaston, their first at the venue, gives them the momentum. Akash Deep’s emergence, Gill’s maturity, and the pace battery’s precision have turned the tide. England, on the other hand, must introspect — especially their top-order stability and bowling combinations.
Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson could return to bolster the pace attack, while questions linger over Joe Root’s form and England’s slip-catching issues.
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