#ENGvIND-2ndTEST-2025: Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj , Akash Deep Play Pivotal Roles As India Crush England By 336 Runs ; Series Now Level 1-1

Picture : BCCI/ X

After losing the first Test to England at Leeds by 5 wickets, Team India needed to win the second one at Edgbaston to stay alive in the series . And they did just that . And what emphatic way it was ..

India Captain Shubman Gill once again in golden form led from the front in style and sent England the message we are here to compete. Put in again by England Captain Ben Stokes which aroused criticism , India lapped to the opportunity to put on big total to put England on the back- foot. The total from India was a mammoth 587.

Gill was imperious in his majestic 269 ( 387 balls, 30 fours) , others who chipped in were Ravindra Jadeja who scored a fine 89 . But some missed out – Karun Nair looked good but could make only 31. So did K L Rahul who struggled to get going before as fell for 2 off 22, Rishabh Pant 25 , Brought in to strengthen the lower order Washington Sundar hit 42 . Nitish Reddy was out cheaply for 1.

England bowlers were sent on leather hunt barring Chris Woakes who bowled much better than the figures suggest took 2/81. Rest battled hard for wickets , Brydon Carse 1/83, Josh Tongue 2/119. Ben Stokes 1/74 , Shoaib Bashir 3/167, Joe Root 1/ 20 . Leaving Stokes wondering his move to ask India to bat first .

With the big total the pressure was on England they were rattled early with Akash Deep rocking their top order. Zak Crawley out for 19 to Siraj . Ben Duckett ( 0), Ollie Pope ( 0) both falling to Akash Deep. England were in deep trouble. England Skipper Ben Stokes desperate for a big score had a short tenure as he departed first ball to a peach of a lifiting delivery from Siraj for 0. Seasoned Joe Root fell for 22.

But fortunately for England , a superb 300 plus stand from Harry Brook ( 158) and wicket- Keeper Jamie Smith ( 184) helped England somewhat get back in the match and avoid- follow on . England were eventually bolwed out for 407 . Giving India lead of 180 .

Indian bowlers were spot on in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah . Mohammed Siraj 6/70 and Akash Deep 4/88 did the maximum damage. Thebrest toiled hard for wickets. Prasidh Krishna had a forgettable 0/72, Ravindra Jadeja 0/70, Washington Sundar 0/73, Nitish Reddy 0/29

With big lead India piled on the pressure in the second innings . Yashasvi Jaiswal and K L Rahul gave the intent straight away. Jaiswal scored 28, Rahul 55. Shubman Gill in regale form smahed yet another majestic ton 161 . Karun Nair 26 . Timemis running out for him . Rishabh Pant 65 , Ravindra Jadeja 69 as India declaring at an impressive 427/6d. Setting England an improbable target of 608 to win.

English bowers toiled hard . Chris Woakes 0/61, Brydon Crase 1/56. Josh Tongue 2/93, Shoaib Bashir 2/119, Joe Root 1/65

Chaing 608 was daunting and England were again rocked early in the second innings . Zak CRawley out for 0. Ben Duckett 25 , Ollie Pope 24. Joe Root 3. Harry Brook 23. England batting were in tatters . England Skipper Ben Stokes showed some hints of big innings when his team needed it most fell for 33. Wicket- Keeper Jamie Smith excelled yet again scoring a fine 88. Brydon Carse 38 , Shoaib Bashir 12 , Chris Woakes 7 as England were bolwed out for 271. India winning by a massive 336 runs.

India Bowling , Akash Deep was sensational yet again as he ripped through the English line- up with figures of 6/99. Well supported by Mohammed Siraj 1/57 , Ravindra Jadeja 1/40. Prasidh Krishna much better figures in second innings 1/39, Wasington Sundar 1/28.

With the India win the series is now level at 1-1 . The Third Test at Lord’s Test begins in few days time at Lord’s from July 10. A win that give Team India a good aheadsche to pick the playing XI