India stormed to a historic 336-run victory over England on 6 July, winning their first-ever Test match at Edgbaston and levelling the five-match series 1-1.
A record-breaking double century and second-innings blitz from Shubman Gill set the stage, but it was Akash Deep’s devastating six-wicket haul on the final day that completed India’s dominance.
Having set England an improbable target of 608, India needed just seven wickets on the final day. The hosts resumed on 72 for 3 with slim hopes of survival, knowing they needed to bat out the day or attempt a miracle chase. But Akash Deep ensured neither was possible.
The right-arm seamer struck early, bowling Ollie Pope through the gate in just the fourth over of the morning. Harry Brook followed soon after, trapped leg-before by an in-dipping delivery. The early blows dented England’s resistance and exposed their middle order. Brook, who had struck a century in the first innings, could only manage 23 this time.
Jamie Smith, making his second Test appearance, did offer a spirited counterattack. With elegant drives and forceful pulls, the right-hander compiled 88 off just 99 deliveries, including nine fours and four sixes. Smith found brief support from Ben Stokes during a 45-run partnership, but the England captain was given out lbw to Washington Sundar on review shortly before lunch. Stokes walked off visibly unconvinced, having scored 33 off 73 balls, leaving England further adrift.
Smith carried on after the interval, targeting the Indian spinners while carefully negotiating the seamers. He reached his fifty in 73 balls and looked set for a maiden Test century. However, with wickets tumbling at the other end and the pressure mounting, he attempted a pull off a short ball from Akash Deep and picked out Washington at backward square leg. That wicket not only ended Smith’s valiant effort but also gave Akash his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Brydon Carse contributed 38 down the order but his efforts merely delayed the inevitable. Akash returned to remove him as the final wicket, finishing with figures of 6 for 99. His performance, especially with the new ball and under overcast conditions, demonstrated the depth in India’s pace arsenal.
England were bowled out for 271, falling well short of the target. Despite scoring at a brisk pace for parts of the innings, their inability to stitch together lasting partnerships cost them dearly. While England’s aggressive brand of cricket under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has reaped rewards in the past, the fifth day at Edgbaston showed the limitations of that approach when conditions favour the bowlers and defensive technique is called upon.
India’s dominance was not limited to the final day. In the first innings, Shubman Gill led from the front with a masterful 269, the highest score by an Indian captain in England. Ravindra Jadeja added 89 and then followed up with an unbeaten 69 in the second innings. Gill continued his stellar match with a second-innings 161 from just 162 balls, bringing up the fastest-ever Test hundred by an Indian captain. India declared their second innings on 281 for 4, leaving England facing the prospect of either survival or a record-breaking chase.