India all but batted England out of the match and then broke their top order in a ruthless Day 4 performance that left the hosts staring at a near-impossible chase of 608. After Shubman Gill’s record-breaking run-fest and a clinical second-innings declaration at 427/6, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj reduced England to 72/3 by stumps, putting India firmly in control of the Test match.
Gill, continuing his golden form, followed up his first-innings double century with a fluent 161 (162 balls), bringing him into an elite group of batsmen to score a double century and a 150-plus in the same Test. He shared a 175-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (66 off 114) that took the game away from England.
India’s batting was aggressive and deliberate throughout the day. Rishabh Pant (65 off 58) and Jadeja kept the scoreboard ticking, forcing England’s bowlers to work under an unrelenting sun on a flat track. Captain Gill declared shortly after tea with the lead at 607, ensuring enough time for the bowlers to make inroads.
England’s reply was disastrous. Ben Duckett fell in the first over to a sharp incoming delivery from Akash Deep. Zak Crawley was trapped LBW by Mohammed Siraj soon after, and Joe Root’s poor form continued as he cleaned up by Akash Deep for 6. Only Ollie Pope and Harry Brook held firm in the fading light as England limped to 72/3 at stumps.
With 536 still required and seven wickets in hand, India look set to level the five-match series 1-1 heading into the third Test. The Edgbaston pitch has shown signs of uneven bounce, and with two in-form pacers and spin options in hand, India will sense a swift finish on Day 5.
