This win will be etched in India’s Test history as one of the best overseas wins. Shubman Gill’s 430, Akash Deep’s 10 wickets, Ravindra Jadeja’s twin innings and Mohammed Siraj’s 7 wickets will be remembered for ages. This win breaks a 58 year old record where India had lost 7 and drawn 1 at Edgbaston. The only draw was in 1986 under Kapil Dev’s captaincy.
On the last day, India needed 7 wickets to win but early showers in Birmingham had Indian fans at Edgbaston worried. Once the rain stopped, Akash quickly got rid of England’s top order. Akash who was not part of the playing XI in the first Test supported his captain in getting England out.
Typical English weather, heavy cloud cover followed by bright sunshine delayed the start of play by almost 2 hours. This gave India 80 overs to get England out. England were 72/3 chasing 608. Gill chose Akash and Prasidh Krishna to open the bowling. Akash was straight away on the money, using his upright length seam to good effect with the help of the Birmingham wind. Within the first 7 balls, Akash got the first breakthrough, Ollie Pope (24) playing onto his stumps. In his next over, Akash trapped Harry Brook (23) in front of the wickets with some reverse swing.
Jadeja then came into the attack, getting the ball to turn sharply which was causing problems for Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith. But the England captain managed to score some important runs.
The next breakthrough came when Washington Sundar was brought into the attack. He got Stokes out, ending a 50 run partnership between the captain and Smith for the 6th wicket. Just before lunch, Sundar bowled a drifting ball which Stokes completely misjudged. Stokes asked for a review but even he was surprised by the replay.England went into lunch at 153/6. When play resumed, Akash was again on the charge. Prasidh also got his first wicket of the Test, Chris Woakes (7) misread a good length ball and edged it to mid-wicket where he was caught. Brydon Carse (38) delayed the inevitable but was eventually caught by Gill off Akash’s bowling and India won the match.
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England had to bat defensively and try to hold on for a draw. They lasted 68.1 overs before getting bowled out for 271. The margin of defeat would have been much bigger if not for Smith’s unbeaten 88 off 99 balls.
