England’s Edgbaston Stumble: India Dominates After Gill’s Performance

  • July 5, 2025

The fourth day at Edgbaston featured a display of Indian strength as Shubman Gill’s authoritative century and Rishabh Pant’s forceful response put England under immense strain on the scoreboard. Commencing the day with a significant advantage, India weathered initial setbacks to accumulate a substantial number of runs and eventually declared after establishing a nearly insurmountable target of 608 runs for England. With the upper hand firmly in their grasp, India then made early inroads with their bowling, leaving England in a precarious situation at the close of play. Gill inscribed his name in the annals of cricket with yet another remarkable innings, while Pant contributed the aggression, and the bowlers delivered with determination. The day consistently favoured India, positioning them ideally for a victory that would level the series.

Shubman Gill rewrites records and Rishabh Pant ignites Edgbaston as India declare on 427/6

Starting at 64/1, India faced a demanding first hour as both KL Rahul and Karun Nair succumbed to the incisive bowling of Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse. However, once Gill partnered with Pant, the momentum completely transformed. Pant initiated his innings with boldness, dispatching a four and a six in his opening over, and benefited from a missed chance when on 8. The duo swiftly constructed a century partnership in just 103 deliveries, disrupting England’s strategy. Both batsmen achieved their half-centuries with flair before Pant, attempting another ambitious shot, was dismissed for 65. From that juncture, Gill took command. Composed, precise, and motivated, he forged a vital partnership with Ravindra Jadeja and achieved another century, becoming the first player ever to score a double hundred and a 150 in the same Test. His eventual score of 161 concluded only after he had guaranteed a total beyond England’s reach. India declared at 427/6, extending their lead to a formidable 608 runs.

Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj hammer early nails as England crumble under pressure

England’s objective was monumental, and their innings commenced with an aggressive approach from Ben Duckett, who struck successive boundaries off Mohammed Siraj. Nevertheless, India retaliated promptly, with Siraj dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck, caught at backward point, before Akash Deep bowled Duckett with a flawless delivery that nipped back. As the pressure intensified, Joe Root also fell victim to Akash Deep, undone by a delivery that deviated sharply and struck the stumps. From 18/0, England declined to 39/3 as their top order collapsed. Despite Ollie Pope and Harry Brook‘s attempts to rebuild, the psychological burden of chasing 608 was evident. Gill’s field placements were aggressive, Siraj and Deep maintained relentless pressure, and the vulnerabilities in England’s celebrated Bazball approach became apparent. At the close of play, England were struggling at 72/3, still trailing by 536 runs, with India’s bowlers sensing an opportunity and the Test match almost slipping out of the hosts’ control.

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