India secured their first Test win at Edgbaston, beating England by 336 runs to level the series 1–1. Akash Deep’s ten wickets and a stellar knock from captain Shubman Gill sealed the deal.
This match had all the makings of a statement performance. India, without Jasprit Bumrah, had lost the toss and faced weather interruptions on the final day. Yet, they sealed the game in dominant fashion.
Gill’s twin centuries — 269 and 161 — and an overall total of 430 runs were impressive enough. But it was Akash Deep, filling in for Bumrah, who closed out England with 6 for 99 in the second innings and 10 wickets in the match.
The last wicket fell to Akash, caught by Gill at cover. The two embraced as teammates poured in.
England Falls Short of Lofty Target
England were never really in the contest chasing a target of 608. Their batting lineup faltered early, with Akash removing Ollie Pope shortly after play resumed following a storm delay.
By the time Harry Brook was pinned leg-before by another seaming delivery from Akash, England were five down with only 83 runs on the board. Brook’s review failed, highlighting the late movement Akash extracted off a worn pitch.
Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith tried to build resistance. Their 70-run partnership briefly slowed India’s charge, but Washington Sundar broke through just before lunch. Stokes, on 33, was dismissed lbw after a sharp turn from Sundar’s off-spin clipped his pad.
Jamie Smith was the only batter who looked settled. He struck 88 runs with pockets of aggression, including a stretch where he threatened to hit Akash for three consecutive sixes. That attack ended when he was caught in the deep by Washington.
Smith’s 272 is now the highest by an English wicketkeeper in a Test. But even that couldn’t stop the collapse.
Indian Bowling Unit Steps Up
Akash Deep’s control and movement were central to India’s plan. He bowled 21.1 overs of high-pressure pace, exploiting worn areas of the pitch and using the crease intelligently.
Mohammed Siraj backed up well, taking a sharp catch to remove Josh Tongue. Prasidh Krishna picked up Woakes, and Jadeja made use of the uneven bounce from the City End.
ALSO READ | Shubman Gill Praises Akash Deep After India Levels Series at Edgbaston
Some chances were missed. KL Rahul dropped one in the slip cordon, and Siraj spilled a skier. But it didn’t change the course of the match. When Brydon Carse skied one to cover, Gill completed the catch, and Akash had the final word.
Gill’s Captaincy and Form Highlighted
Gill’s performance as captain matched his runs with composure. After the disappointment of Headingley, where India lost despite early control, this win felt like redemption.
With Bumrah returning for the Lord’s Test, India will have more firepower. But Gill’s leadership, paired with India’s deep bowling reserves, now presents a serious challenge for England heading into the third match of the series on July 10.
Gill, Akash, and the rest of the Indian squad walked off to cheers from much of the 18,000-strong crowd in Birmingham. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
