In a commanding display of Test cricket, India secured a resounding 336-run victory over England in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston on July 6th. This win marks India’s first-ever triumph at the iconic Birmingham ground and stands as their largest away Test victory by runs. The comprehensive performance also leveled the five-match series at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting continuation.
Despite the absence of their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, India, after being put in to bat first, amassed a formidable 587 in their first innings. Skipper Shubman Gill led from the front with a magnificent 269, an innings adorned with 33 boundaries. Crucial contributions also came from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 87, and Ravindra Jadeja, who added 89. For England, Shoaib Bashir was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets.
“The Three Lions” responded with 407 runs, largely thanks to Harry Brook’s 158 and Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 184. However, the rest of their batting line-up faltered, with six batters dismissed for ducks. The Indian seamers were exceptional, with Mohammed Siraj bagging 6 for 70 and Akash Deep picking up 4 for 88.
In their second innings, India declared at 427/6, setting a daunting target of 608 for the “Bazball”-inspired English side. Gill once again starred with a fluent 161, ably supported by KL Rahul (55), Rishabh Pant (65), and Jadeja (69*). Bashir and Josh Tongue claimed two wickets each, while Brydon Carse also contributed with two for England.
England, led by Ben Stokes, were ultimately bowled out for 271 in their final innings. Jamie Smith, with a fighting knock of 88, was the most comfortable batter for the hosts on the final day. Akash Deep delivered sensational figures of 6 for 99, taking his match tally to an impressive 10 for 187. This remarkable performance secured him the best match figures by an Indian in a Test in England, surpassing Chetan Sharma’s 10/188 at the same venue way back in 1986.
This comfortable win not only ended India’s long wait for a victory at Edgbaston, which came in their 19th attempt at the historic venue, but also saw captain Gill make history. At 25 years and 301 days, he became the youngest Indian captain to win a Test overseas, breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s previous record set in 1976 at Auckland.
Shubman Gill was deservingly named Player of the Match for his extraordinary 430 runs across both innings. The series now moves to the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London for the third Test, scheduled to begin on July 10th.
Congratulations, Indian team.