The Indian skipper notched his second hundred of the series. Photo Credit: ICC
On Day 1 of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston (July 2, 2025), Indian captain Shubman Gill delivered a commanding unbeaten century (114*) to guide India to a strong total of 310‑5 at stumps. His leadership with the bat helped India recover from a mid-innings slump and build a solid platform in this crucial Test match.
Day’s Highlights: Gill’s Brilliance and Steady Partnerships
Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a patient yet fluent 114 not out off 216 balls. This is his second consecutive Test century as captain and a critical innings under pressure. His performance matched the poise and discipline of past Indian greats and underscored his growing stature in world cricket.
India looked vulnerable at 211‑5, but a crucial 99-run unbroken partnership between Gill and Ravindra Jadeja (41*) stabilized the innings. Jadeja played the perfect foil to Gill, rotating strike and blunting England’s bowling attack in the final session.
Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal provided India with a blazing start, scoring 87 before falling short of what could have been his second hundred of the series. His aggressive stroke play gave India early momentum before England struck back.
Bowling Efforts and Missed Opportunities
England opted to bowl first after winning the toss, hoping to exploit overcast conditions. Their bowlers, especially Chris Woakes, responded well, with Woakes returning figures of 2 for 59, including key breakthroughs that slowed India’s scoring.
Brydon Carse was impressive with his pace and aggression, picking up timely wickets and maintaining pressure on the batters. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was effective in the middle overs, claiming the wicket of Rishabh Pant and keeping the run rate in check.
England, however, missed a few crucial chances. Two lbw appeals were turned down on umpire’s call, much to Woakes’ frustration. The team also struggled to make early inroads with the new ball, missing the opportunity to dominate the opening session.
Team Selections and Strategic Moves
England captain Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first seemed logical given the pitch and weather. Their lineup remained largely unchanged, sticking with a core bowling group that had delivered results in the previous Test.
India made bold changes, resting Jasprit Bumrah and bringing in Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. These additions were aimed at deepening the batting lineup and adding flexibility in the bowling department.
The selection strategy highlights India’s rotation policy and a willingness to test new talent in overseas conditions. Resting Bumrah was also a tactical move to preserve his fitness for the remainder of the series.
On-Field Drama and Turning Points
The day had its fair share of intensity and drama. Brydon Carse’s celebration after a near-dismissal mimicked Darren Gough’s iconic tongue-out style, but the decision was overturned on review. England’s bowlers felt they were unlucky with marginal umpiring calls and a ball change late in the day added to the tension.
Despite these distractions, Gill and Jadeja remained focused and batted with composure, denying England any late-session wickets.
Match Context and Series Outlook
This match holds immense importance with the series tied at 1-1. England had pulled off a stunning comeback win at Headingley, and India was under pressure to respond strongly. Edgbaston, traditionally a challenging venue for visiting teams, offered the perfect stage for a statement innings—and Shubman Gill delivered.
With this century, Gill not only cemented his leadership credentials but also placed India in a strong position to dictate terms on Day 2.
Day 2 Preview: Momentum with India
India will resume Day 2 at 310-5 with five wickets in hand and plenty of batting depth. Their goal will be to reach a first-innings total in the range of 450-500. England, meanwhile, will aim to strike early with the new ball and limit India’s progress.
The morning session will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the match. If India’s lower order can contribute meaningfully, they will put immense scoreboard pressure on England.
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