India took firm control of the second Test at Edgbaston after Shubman Gill’s monumental 269 powered the visitors to a commanding total of 587, leaving England reeling at 77-3 by stumps on day two.
Gill’s career-best innings, now the highest ever by an Indian batter in England, set the tone for a dominant Indian display.
After resuming the day on 114, the Indian skipper built crucial partnerships—203 with Ravindra Jadeja (89) and 144 with Washington Sundar—to drive India into a dominant position.
England, who had spent five long sessions in the field, faltered immediately in reply. Akash Deep struck twice in successive deliveries, removing first-Test centurions Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope with sharp deliveries that were both edged to the slips.
Zak Crawley followed soon after, edging Mohammed Siraj for 19, as India’s pace attack found movement and bite that England had lacked.
Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 30 alongside Joe Root (18*), though Brook’s nervy innings included several streaky shots and a near-miss in the final over, underlining England’s precarious position.
Despite having successfully chased high totals in the past under captain Ben Stokes, this is arguably their most difficult challenge yet.
While England has won Tests after conceding over 500 runs three times during the Stokes-McCullum era, none of those totals approached India’s imposing 587.
Historically, only New Zealand has managed to win a Test after conceding more runs—against Bangladesh in 2017.
India’s bowlers, even without the rested Jasprit Bumrah, generated nearly double the swing England did on day one. Deep, in particular, stepped up impressively in his absence.
Earlier in the day, Gill reached his double century and quickly powered on, overtaking Sunil Gavaskar’s previous Indian record of 221 in England.
He moved from 200 to 250 in just 37 balls, taking advantage of lacklustre bowling from England, including a five-over spell from part-timer Brook that cost 31 runs. Gill was eventually dismissed by Josh Tongue, pulling to square leg.
England’s bowling options appeared limited. Brydon Carse looked to be nursing a foot injury, and neither Stokes nor Woakes returned to bowl after short opening spells.
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir eventually wrapped up the tail with two late wickets.
England’s decision to bowl first has come under scrutiny. Former captain Michael Vaughan questioned the rigidity of England’s attacking approach, especially in conditions that might require adaptability.
“You can’t just be a one-trick pony,” he warned, suggesting that England’s aggressive mindset may not hold up in tougher environments like Australia.
England spin coach Jeetan Patel defended the decision, saying the pitch offered enough encouragement on day one and that the team was “not fussed” by outside criticism.
But with India in full control and England’s top order already dented, the hosts face a mammoth task to avoid defeat—let alone chase what would be their highest-ever fourth-innings target.
