0
Phew. That brings us to the end of an extremely run-laden, record-breaking and historic Edgbaston Test. India take the honours from here by levelling the series by 1-1. Now then, it's a quick turnaround for both sides as the caravan now heads towards the Home of Cricket, The Lord's for the third Test. Both teams will be reinforced by some of their key players as Jasprit Bumrah will be back for that game for India, while for England, Jofra Archer might feature. But with just a three-day gap for that Test, how much will the fatigue come into play? Only time will tell. The Lord's Test kicks off on Thursday, 11th July and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). But till then, you can catch the other cricketing action happening elsewhere. From this matchcenter, then, it's goodbye! Take care, cheers!
One of the few bright sparks for England in an otherwise lopsided contest was Jamie Smith. He emerged as a rare positive for England, unfurling a superb counterpunch with his brilliant hundred in the first innings and forming a record-breaking 303-run stand with Harry Brook, even as seasoned names like Root and Pope faltered. But England’s top-order woes were glaring. On a surface that produced 1,692 runs on aggregate, their openers contributed just 44 across both innings, repeatedly undone by India's pinpoint new-ball discipline. Fixing that fragility will be crucial moving forward.
India’s dominance across the Edgbaston Test was underpinned by their superior use of the new ball, right through the Test. While England’s pacers, particularly Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse, often resorted to shorter lengths, more suited to bouncier southern hemisphere tracks, India’s seamers stuck to fuller lengths, zeroing in on the stumps, which reaped rich rewards on this slower surface. That tactical clarity allowed them to extract movement, create pressure, and strike early in both innings. Akash Deep, stepping in the massive shoes of Jasprit Bumrah, made an instant impact with his control and intent, including a peach to dismiss Joe Root. Siraj, leading the attack, bowled with heart and precision, setting the tone with his relentless energy. Together, they brought the pitch to life and made the ball talk.
The Indian skipper, Shubman Gill, is deservedly named PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar display with the bat. Reflecting on the team’s performance, he shared that everything they addressed after the previous Test was put into action this time around. Tells that the improvements across departments, particularly in bowling and fielding, were clear. Adds that on this kind of a wicket, they knew if they got 400-500 runs, it would be enough. Appreciates his bowlers and says that they were magnificent with the way they went through the English top order. On Akash Deep's bowling, Gill mentions that he hit the right lengths and was getting the ball to move in both directions, which is pretty difficult to do on such pitches. On his batting, he says he is feeling very comfortable and it feels great that the team wins the match because of his contributions. On being asked about Bumrah's selection for the Lord's Test, he informs that Jasprit Bumrah will feature in the third Test.
The captain of England, Ben Stokes, admits that not being able to capitalise after having India at 211 for 5 in the first innings was a key moment in the game. He shares that things could have panned out very differently had they managed to break through quickly at that stage. Stokes believes that as the match progressed, the pitch began to suit India more than England and he did not expect the surface to play this way on the final day. Reflects on being 84 for 5 in the first innings, noting that it left his side playing catch-up from that point onward. He says his side tried everything they could with the ball, but concedes that when a team like India gets on top, it becomes incredibly difficult to wrest back control. Stokes also touches on the physical and mental demands of the game, saying it’s always tough when you spend an entire day in the field and then have to bat at the end of it. He adds that the team will find themselves in more such situations going forward and that it’s about learning to adapt and grow as individuals. Praises Jamie Smith for the way he batted and feels that his wicketkeeping often goes under the radar. Mentions that the partnership between Smith and Harry Brook was very special.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
After a rain-delayed start on Day 5, India had a race-against-time kind of scenario, as ten overs were lost due to rain. But they tightened their grip in a pivotal first session on Day 5, striking thrice to leave England tottering at 153/6 by Lunch. Akash Deep set the tone early, removing Pope and Brook in a fiery burst, while Washington Sundar landed the telling blow just before the break by trapping Stokes. Post Tea, Jamie Smith did offer strong resistance, but once he fell on a brilliant 88, the Indians just took the wind out of their sails. Akash Deep finished off with a six-fer, and overall snagged 10 wickets in the whole match. This led to India's first-ever win in Birmingham after eight unsuccessful attempts, including 7 defeats and a draw.
Day 4 saw India assert their dominance with the bat, highlighted by Shubman Gill’s superb 161. England began well, with overhead conditions helping them remove both overnight batters. But Rishabh Pant walked in and quickly took the wind out of their sails with a typically counterattacking innings. Although Pant fell after lunch, he had already provided India with the perfect launchpad. Jadeja and Gill then adopted a more cautious approach until Tea before accelerating in the final session to set up the declaration. Gill finished with 430 runs in the match, the second most in Test history and the highest by an Indian. Having toiled all day, England were set a massive target of 608, and their day went from bad to worse as they lost three out of their top four before stumps.
Day 3 witnessed quite the see-saw battle and was one of those days that left you wanting more. India started strongly, with Mohammed Siraj striking twice in two balls to reduce England to 84/5, still trailing by 503 runs. Jamie Smith then launched a spirited counterattack, joined by Harry Brook, as the duo shifted the momentum with a marathon 303-run stand. Both batters brought up centuries on either side of the lunch break, with Smith going on to score 184, the highest by an English wicketkeeper in Test cricket. It was only after the second new ball that fortunes turned for India, with Akash Deep and Siraj wrapping up the innings once Brook was dismissed. Siraj finished with six wickets. India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal late in the day but still ended with a commanding 244-run lead.
Day 2 belonged entirely to India. Gill turned his overnight ton into a majestic 269, the highest ever by an Indian Test captain, blending patience with precision. He formed marathon partnerships with Jadeja (89) and Washington Sundar (42), guiding India to a mammoth 587. England’s bowlers toiled with little reward, their short-ball tactics falling flat. When it was their turn to bat, India’s seamers flipped the script. Akash Deep struck twice in two balls, and Siraj added a third to leave England reeling at 25/3. Root and Brook steadied the ship, but by stumps, India had already stamped their authority on the match.
Now, let's take a sneak peek at how this Edgbaston Test progressed. Ben Stokes gambled on a flat Edgbaston pitch, inviting India to bat, and for a moment, it looked like the move might pay off. KL Rahul fell early, but Karun Nair and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched together a steady 80-run stand. Jaiswal looked fluent before falling for 87, triggering a brief wobble as India slipped from 208/3 to 211/5. But Shubman Gill, calm as ever, soaked up the pressure and brought up a graceful century, while Jadeja played the perfect foil. The pair saw off the second new ball and closed Day 1 at 310/5, firmly in control.
After the bruising defeat at Headingley, where India let slip a match that was firmly in their grasp, the pressure heading into Birmingham was immense. The scars of that collapse ran deep, and the urgency to bounce back and level the series was unmistakable and desperate. Amidst that backdrop, India made a bold, calculated call, by resting Jasprit Bumrah, their premier fast bowler, despite the stakes. Bumrah had bowled 43.4 taxing overs in Leeds, and with a packed calendar ahead, the management rested him for this Test. It was a move that raised eyebrows, especially given they were coming into this game on the back of a defeat. And yet, India pulled it off, with clarity, composure, and a touch of flair.
EDGBASTON HAS BEEN BREACHED AND HOW! Akash Deep stands tall and still, arms spread wide and aloft, eyes lifted to the heavens, soaking in a moment that has eluded generations. India have broken the Birmingham barrier at last. It couldn’t be done in the era of the legendary Kapil Dev, slipped away during MS Dhoni’s storied reign, and narrowly missed under the passionate charge of Virat Kohli. But today, under the fresh-faced command of Shubman Gill, history has been created. India seal their largest-ever victory by runs on overseas soil, thumping England by a staggering 336 runs. A statement win, not just in margin, but in dominance across all five days.
A slight halt in the play as Akash Deep requests the onfield umpire, Sharfuddoula, to tighten the spike of his boot. The umpire tightens up with an object and Akash also gets his spikes cleaned a bit.
HIGH DRAMA! An adventurous shot attempt there by Shoaib Bashir as he tries to scoop, but misses. Takes the review as the umpire gives it out because it is caught in the first slip. UltraEdge confirms no contact with the gloves as the ball passes by, striking Bashir flush on the front pad instead.
Shoaib Bashir is the last man in.
Mohammed Siraj pulls out of his delivery stride. Just as he was about to bowl, he landed awkwardly on the landing area, which seemed a bit uneven.
Mohammed Siraj (10-3-52-1) is back into the attack, replacing Prasidh Krishna.
The replays of that dropped catch from Jadeja's previous over are in. KL Rahul was still setting the field and gesturing towards the man at short fine leg when Ravindra Jadeja began his run-up. Rahul was slightly off guard as the ball came at him, and he couldn’t react in time.
Josh Tongue walks in at number 10.
DRINKS BREAK. England lost Ben Stokes on the stroke of Lunch, leaving their lower order vulnerable, but Jamie Smith has remained unfazed. With composure and flair, he has carved out a resilient half-century, countering the spinners with a few authoritative blows and sticking to his natural game. However, India's bowlers have kept the pressure on. Akash Deep returned with purpose, and Prasidh Krishna unsettled the batters with a barrage of rib-ticklers, eventually removing Chris Woakes to edge India even closer to a commanding position. India are three good deliveries away from scripting history at Edgbaston and would aim to wipe out the remaining wickets in this session itself, to avoid any further hiccup.
Brydon Carse, another English batter, on a pair, is in at 9.
Prasidh Krishna (9-2-20-0) is back on. He replaces Washington Sundar. Also, it's raining south-east, around 65 miles from here, in Silverstone, where the British Grand Prix is currently underway. The floodlights are glittering now at Edgbaston with a dark band of clouds hovering just over the stadium. Let's hope the weather holds up.
A huge cheer echoes in the crowd as Akash Deep (14-1-58-4) returns into the attack. He replaces Ravindra Jadeja.
Ravindra Jadeja (6-2-14-0) to continue his spell.
Welcome back for the afternoon session at Edgbaston on this final day of the second Test. It has gotten fairly overcast, but it's dry and good enough for the play to resume. Let's hope that the rain stays away from playing spoilsport. Out walk the umpires and the players. The Indians spread out to their fielding positions. Jamie Smith - 32 (53), is joined by Chris Woakes at the crease. Washington Sundar (1.3-0-2-1) has the ball and will complete the remaining over. Let's play...
... DAY 5, SECOND SESSION ...
Well then, it was indeed a thoroughly entertaining session, with the batters getting interrogated right through. India now stand just four quality deliveries away from scripting a historic win at a venue where success has long eluded them. The tourists will look to wrap things up quickly post-Lunch, with the tail now exposed at one end. For England, it's all about survival and digging deep with Jamie Smith, the lone specialist batter left, tasked with holding the fort. A very gripping second session of this fifth day is coming up, folks. Stay tuned as play resumes at 7.40 pm IST (2.10 pm GMT).
Jadeja was then introduced to exploit the widening rough, especially against Ben Stokes and it was genuinely a cat and mouse between both of them. The batters, though, huffed and puffed, were interrogated thoroughly, but held fort through a tricky passage of play. With Akash Deep off the attack, England managed to keep the scoreboard ticking with singles and the occasional boundary. But just before Lunch, Washington Sundar was introduced and struck gold, scalping out Ben Stokes to hand India a commanding edge.
In an interesting tactical move, India didn’t open with the expected Siraj-Akash combination in tandem. Instead, Prasidh Krishna shared the attack, perhaps with an eye on keeping one of the strike bowlers fresh throughout the spell. But in all fairness, Krishna, too, came in with more control, though he didn't get any wicket. The surface had aged into a classic Day 5 track, cracked, tired, and unpredictable. The ball zipped around sharply, and Akash kept hammering the right channels, constantly testing the batters.
After a delayed start due to inclement weather, India resumed under a race-against-time scenario, shaped by revised session durations, and the ball was 16 overs old. England's attempt to blunt any remaining seam threat with a heavy roller proved futile, as India came out spirited, especially Akash Deep who continued from where he left off on Day 4. He was on the money and reaped early rewards as he dismissed Ollie Pope and also got the big fish, Harry Brook, out as well, which saw England lose half their side at 83/5, starting the day from 72/3.
SESSION SUMMARY - 24.3 Overs, 81 Runs, 3 Wickets. A literal hammer-blow for England at the stroke of Lunch. The wicket goes in Washington Sundar's column, but in all fairness, it was assisted by a super-quick over from Jadeja. England tried very hard to wipe the India win out of the equation by batting the first session through, but the visitors responded thoroughly to strike back hard.
Courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja’s quick over, India will manage to squeeze in one more before the break.
This should be the last over before Lunch. Ravindra Jadeja (5-1-14-0) continues.
Spin in tandem with 5 minutes to Lunch. Here's Washington Sundar into the attack. He replaces Mohammed Siraj.
Smith backed away at the last moment and Siraj had to abort. He walks back to reload.
DRINKS BREAK! India would have hoped for a strong start after the delayed start and they have certainly hit their straps. Akash Deep has picked up right where he left off on Day 4, while Prasidh Krishna is finding a good rhythm at the other end. There has been noticeable movement off the surface, with a few deliveries misbehaving off the cracks. England have it all to do now as they look to save this Test. Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith will know that the ball may not do as much once it loses its hardness but for now, they just need to weather the storm. It will be Mohammed Siraj (5-1-29-1) to bowl after the break.
KL Rahul from the slip cordon is asking Shubman Gill to leave cover open. He can be heard saying that there is a chance that Smith will drag it back onto the stumps. A change in the field as a man comes in at silly mid on.
One centurion replaces another. Jamie Smith is in now.
Ben Stokes makes his way out to the centre.
Prasidh Krishna to continue. So, India have opted not to open with their two new-ball performers from yesterday, instead, it is Prasidh and Akash Deep sharing the attack to kick things off today.
It will be Akash Deep from the other end. 8-1-36-2 so far for Akash. Both of Deep’s wickets yesterday came from the opposite end, but he has been brought on from this one now.
The sun is out, and so are the two umpires. Blue skies greet Shubman Gill and his men as they head out to the centre. They are followed by the two overnight batters, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. India are starting with Prasidh Krishna. Prasidh to Brook. Two slips and a gully in place. Here we go!
With the start of play just moments away, here are the revised session timings for the day. The first session will run from 5.10 pm to 7 pm IST (11.40 am to 1.30 pm GMT), followed by the second session, which will commence at 7.40 pm and continue until 9.40 pm IST (2.10 pm - 4.10 pm GMT). The third and final session of the day will start at 10 pm and conclude at 11.30 pm IST (4.30 pm - 6 pm GMT). If the full quota of 80 overs isn’t completed within this window, provided the light permits.
UPDATE - 4.51 pm IST (11.21 am GMT) - Hurrah! The covers are being peeled off now as the rain has completely stopped. It has gotten much brighter now and we also have a start time. The first ball of Day 5 will be bowled at 5.10 pm IST (11.40 am GMT). Also, weather and light permitting, we will have 80 overs of play. And more pleasing news, the hover cover from the pitch is being removed as well. The Indian players are out in the field and have started their drills.
UPDATE - 4.47 pm IST (11.17 am GMT) - We have now entered the phase where a reduction in overs has commenced. Also, Jonathan Trott is back on air, noting that the rain has eased, but the covers still remain firmly in place. When asked how long the ground staff might take to ready the field for play, he says it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes, thanks to the excellent drainage system. However, he also highlights that the covers haven’t been removed yet, possibly due to concerns about another spell of rain approaching. He then shifts focus, pointing out that it won’t be easy for the bowlers to keep the ball dry, especially with the Dukes ball, which tends to swell up in damp conditions.
UPDATE - 4.30 pm IST (11 am GMT) - And here comes the rain! Unfortunately, all the excitement from the earlier clearing skies has quickly fizzled out. We have now reached the hour mark since the scheduled start, which means we will begin losing overs from this point onward. Jonathan Trott, however, remains hopeful. He reckons this could be a passing shower, as it is still bright in the direction the weather is moving from. The radar, too, suggests that the rain might not linger for long.
UPDATE - 4.26 pm IST (10.56 am GMT) - Uh oh! The covers are being brought back on. It’s not raining just yet, but the ground staff may be anticipating another spell on the way. A precautionary move, perhaps, with those grey clouds still lingering nearby.
UPDATE - 4.21 pm IST (10.51 am GMT) - The match officials are out in the middle for the scheduled inspection. While the puddles don’t seem to be a major concern, the real worry appears to be a looming band of grey clouds on the horizon that could be heading this way. The square covers have been removed but the hover cover stays on.
UPDATE - 4.11 pm IST (10.41 am GMT) - We are hearing that there will be an inspection at 4.15 pm IST (10.45 am GMT). The ground staff have begun peeling the covers off, starting with the run-up areas. These are all encouraging signs as we edge closer to the start of action on Day 5.
UPDATE - 4.02 pm IST (10.32 am GMT) - Good news! The rain has subsided and conditions have brightened considerably out in the middle. There is still just under half an hour before we start losing overs. The initial burst was a heavy downpour, which then eased into a steady drizzle before stopping altogether. The ground staff have a fair bit of work ahead of them, but the efficient drainage at this venue should help speed things along.
UPDATE - 3.39 pm IST (10.09 am GMT) - Jonathan Trott provides a weather update. He shares that while it's only a light drizzle at the moment, it was preceded by a sharp burst of rain. He adds that the skies in the direction from which the weather is coming appear to be clearing up. Meanwhile, fourth umpire Martin Saggers is out in the middle with an umbrella in hand. He is joined by a member of the support staff and they appear to be checking the radar on a phone.
India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, is in for a chat. Shares that he’s thoroughly enjoying his time in the camp. Adds that there’s a genuine eagerness and willingness among the players to deliver strong performances and make the country proud. Morkel mentions that the team came in well aware of the flat conditions they would encounter in England. He believes that in such scenarios, the bowlers need to be mentally strong, especially once the ball softens, and that success comes from building sustained pressure from both ends. He points out that the bowling unit has shown clear improvement since Headingley. Reckons that the side slope in Leeds posed a challenge the bowlers weren’t quite used to, and adds that they will face a similar slope at Lord’s next week. Morkel is particularly impressed with Akash Deep. Shares that he came into this match with limited recent red-ball game time and believes the way Akash stepped up and delivered under pressure was highly commendable.
UPDATE - 3.26 pm IST (9.56 am GMT) - A bit of positive news. The rain has reduced in intensity, but it is still steady for now. Encouragingly, the ground staff have started clearing water off the covers. There are a few puddles on the outfield, and the Super Soppers are in action. The drainage at Edgbaston is excellent, and no overs will be lost until an hour of play is officially lost.
UPDATE - 3.15 pm IST (9.45 am GMT) - It’s absolutely pelting down now, and there’s lightning in the area as well. A delayed start is certain, and it looks like we will be waiting a while before any action can resume. While we wait for the weather to clear here in Birmingham, down in Bulawayo, the second Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe is underway. The Proteas, leading the series 1-0, were inserted into bat and lost both openers early, but Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham have steadied the ship. You can switch tabs and follow the action there in the meantime.
UPDATE - 3.07 pm IST (9.37 am GMT) - The hover cover was taken off briefly but has now been put back on. It is not raining at the moment, but the radar indicates that a heavy band of rain could be on its way. And just as feared, it has started to rain. The good news is that once this passes, conditions are expected to clear up.
Jonathan Trott has an update. Although the skies remain threateningly grey in the distance, he mentions that it is starting to brighten up, which is an encouraging sign.
The visuals from Edgbaston are in. It is drizzling at the moment, but it is not heavy enough to stop the two teams from warming up. The surface remains covered, and the skies above are a gloomy shade of grey. Jonathan Trott is at the ground, and he reckons we might not have a prompt start, but rest assured, we will keep you updated as soon as any official word comes through. Stay tuned!
Whenever an intriguing day lies ahead, the rain gods often like to make their presence felt and add a bit more drama. That could well be the case today in Birmingham. It rained in the early hours of the morning, and the forecast suggests that showers may linger through the first session before clearing later in the day. It’s all set up for a dramatic climax, so hop in and join us for the ride.
As for India, there is no doubt that their pacers have made the new ball talk more effectively than their English counterparts. With that in mind, the declaration seemed timed to allow two cracks at England with the new ball, first late on Day 4 and then again this morning with the ball still relatively new. After all, the cherry tends to stop doing much beyond the 30-over mark.
Ever since the start of the Bazball era, Ben Stokes has been quite vocal about not playing for draws. However, this looks like a mountain too steep to climb, no matter how flat the surface has been over the first four days. You would expect England to first focus on surviving the initial phase, then look to push on if possible, or reassess and shut up shop if the situation demands it.
Hello and a warm welcome, folks. We are back at Edgbaston for Day 5, and there is a sense of 'deja vu' in the air. Much like in Leeds, the Test has gone the distance, with England once again chasing a daunting target. The task is even steeper this time. While they needed 350 on the final day in Leeds, here they require 536. As for India, they had all ten wickets to take in Leeds, whereas today, they need seven to clinch their first Test win at Edgbaston. Whatever the outcome, we are in for a ride, so strap in for what promises to be an exciting finish.
... DAY 5, FIRST SESSION ...
Right then, heading into Day 5, realistically, only two results seem possible, an India win or a draw. Even by England’s fearless standards, 536 runs to get on the final day is asking too much. From an Indian perspective, this has consistently been a new-ball wicket throughout the Test. The real challenge will begin once the ball loses its shine and hardness. That is when the bowlers will need to remain patient and disciplined, as even on Day 4, the surface played true, with no real demons on offer. As for the weather for Day 5, the radar suggests some rain in the early hours of the morning, but it is expected to clear by the time play begins. The first ball on Day 5 is scheduled for 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). You can join us early for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!
After India declared with a lead of 607 runs, England faced a challenging phase of around an hour and 20 minutes to navigate before stumps. It was not just physical fatigue but also mental exhaustion from having spent so long in the field that made the task even tougher. Once again, it was the new-ball pairing of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj who made life difficult for the English top order, with Deep producing a beauty to dismiss Joe Root.
However, once he was dismissed, the momentum he had built quickly faded. India adopted a more cautious approach, with Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja content to play out the final 40 minutes before Tea without showing much urgency. The charge eventually came after Tea, as both batters put their foot down and looked to accelerate. Jadeja brought up his second fifty of the match, while Gill went on to score 161. With 430 runs in the Test, Gill surpassed Sunil Gavaskar's 344 to register the most runs by an Indian in a single Test match.
The day began on a promising note for England, with the overcast conditions offering assistance both off the surface and through the air. Brydon Carse challenged both overnight batters, Karun Nair and KL Rahul, and was rewarded with the wicket of Nair. After Rahul fell for 55, Rishabh Pant arrived and immediately injected energy into the innings. England, however, went into the break disappointed after Zak Crawley put down a chance to dismiss Pant on 10. Pant continued in the same vein after the break, with runs flowing steadily for India.
SESSION SUMMARY - 31 overs, 195 runs and 5 wickets. Well, another day of Indian dominance, with events unfolding in a manner quite similar to Day 2. India first piled on the runs, and then made inroads into a weary English top order that had spent a long time in the field. England have it all to do heading into the final day.
Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition
Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage
Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition
Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage
Last over of the day coming up. Akash Deep (7-1-23-2) to bowl.
The master is replaced by his apprentice. Harry Brook walks in with around 20 minutes left in the day.
Gone? Taken behind the stumps by Rishabh Pant but he is not sure. Seemed to have bounced in front before it went into the gloves. Yes, the ball has bounced in front.
Review taken for LBW! Joe Root beaten on the inside edge on the flick but the front-on replay suggests that it could be umpire's call at best. UltraEdge shows no bat and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is missing the leg stump.
Oops! Joe Root pulls out pretty late, almost as Akash Deep was in his delivery stride.
Joe Root walks in at number 4. The top of the middle stump was chipped off as the ball crashed into it, and the stump is now being replaced.
Ollie Pope is in at 3 for England.
Mohammed Siraj to share the attack from the far end.