India responded strongly to their previous defeat by thrashing England by 336 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston. Despite missing pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and losing the toss, India delivered a complete performance to level the five-match series 1-1.

Akash Deep Steps Up as Bumrah's Replacement

Fast bowler Akash Deep filled Bumrah’s shoes brilliantly. On Day 5, he wrapped up England’s second innings with a stunning 6 for 99, marking his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Overall, he claimed 10 wickets in the match.

This made him only the second Indian bowler—after Chetan Sharma in 1986—to trouble England so thoroughly in their own conditions. His consistent line and length, combined with smart use of the pitch and seam movement, made him nearly unplayable.

Gill's Captaincy Starts with Record-Breaking Highs

Shubman Gill had a dream start to his captaincy career. He scored 430 runs across both innings, including a double century and another hundred. It was his first victory as Test captain, made sweeter when he caught the final wicket off Akash Deep’s bowling. The duo celebrated emotionally before their teammates joined in.

England Never Looked in Control

England were set a target of 608 runs, but the idea of a chase was quickly shut down. They never came close to competing. Akash had already dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root before play began on Day 5. Soon after the rain-delayed start, Ollie Pope dragged one onto his stumps. That left England in early trouble.

Rain Delay Doesn’t Slow India

Rain delayed the start of Day 5 until 12:40 pm, reducing play time. But by 1:04 pm, India had already picked up their second wicket of the day. Akash trapped Harry Brook in front with a ball that seamed back sharply. The decision stood after a review confirmed it hit him plumb on the knee roll.

Akash used the wear on the pitch to his advantage, consistently hitting the cracks to create awkward bounce. Brook’s dismissal highlighted just how tough it was to bat on the final day.

Jamie Smith Fights Lone Battle

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith entered when England were five down for 83. Just like in the first innings—where he scored an unbeaten 184—he stood out. He added a fighting 88, playing with control and aggression. But his attempt to hit Akash Deep for three sixes ended in Washington Sundar’s hands at deep square leg.

Sundar Strikes at Crucial Time

Earlier, Sundar also took the key wicket of Ben Stokes. The off-spinner bowled around the wicket and got the ball to drift and turn just enough to brush Stokes’ pad. The England captain, on 33, reviewed the lbw but failed to overturn it.

Lower Order Resistance Fades

Smith successfully overturned one lbw decision against him when on 71, with ball-tracking showing it would have sailed over the stumps. However, Prasidh Krishna did get a wicket later when Chris Woakes mistimed a pull shot.

Smith was eventually dismissed with 272 runs in the match, setting a new record for most runs by an English wicketkeeper in a Test. But his effort wasn’t enough to change the match’s direction.

India Seal Win Despite Late Misses

India could have wrapped up the game even earlier. KL Rahul dropped a catch at slip, and Siraj missed a skier—both chances off Brydon Carse. Still, Siraj had taken a brilliant catch to dismiss Josh Tongue earlier.

Shoaib Bashir then survived a catch review off Ravindra Jadeja. But the match ended in a fitting way—Carse drove a catch to cover, taken by Gill off Akash Deep’s bowling.

Brief Scorecard