India dominated day two of the Edgbaston Test on Thursday, with Shubman Gill’s sensational 269 followed by three quick England wickets, leaving the visitors in full control.
Gill’s marathon 8 ½-hour knock powered India to 587 all out — their highest Test total in England in 35 years. Following that, pacers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj exploited a seemingly unresponsive pitch to leave England reeling at 25-3, with three catches taken in the slips.
By stumps, England had reached 77-3, still trailing India by 510 runs. Harry Brook was unbeaten on 30 and Joe Root on 18, but the day undoubtedly belonged to Gill, India’s new captain, who broke multiple records in a composed yet dominant display on a flat wicket.
England’s fatigue was evident after choosing to field first and spending over 151 overs and five sessions trying to dismiss India.
“Spending 151 overs in the field is always tough, both mentally and physically,” England assistant coach Jeetan Patel said. “Credit to Shubman for his masterclass. The guys gave everything but they’re understandably exhausted.”
Gill took the lead, responding to India’s first Test loss in Leeds by shouldering the responsibility of giving his side a shot at leveling the series.
Resuming on 114, his second century in as many Tests, Gill batted through the morning and afternoon with complete authority, frustrating England’s bowlers.
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India began the day at 310-5, with Gill and Ravindra Jadeja steadying the innings after a wobble at 211-5. Their partnership reached 203 before lunch when Jadeja, on 89, gloved a short delivery from Josh Tongue to the keeper.
Washington Sundar, brought in to strengthen the lower order, added 42 in a 144-run stand with Gill before being bowled by Root shortly before tea.
Gill remained composed, looking as fresh at tea on day two as he did walking out on day one.
Records tumble
Gill’s knock was not just about consolidating India’s position but rewriting records along the way:
On 148, he surpassed his previous best Test score of 147 from Leeds.
At 180, he posted the highest score by an India captain in England, overtaking Mohammad Azharuddin’s 179 at Old Trafford in 1990.
His double century, brought up with a single off his 311th delivery, made him the seventh visiting skipper with a Test double hundred in England.
On 222, he bettered Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the highest score by an Indian in England (221 at The Oval, 1979).
His 236 became the second-highest individual score by an Indian against England.
At 250, brought up in 348 deliveries, Gill registered his 29th boundary.
With 255, he eclipsed Virat Kohli’s 254 (vs South Africa, 2019) to post the highest score by an India captain.
Gill eventually fell for 269, his highest first-class score, flicking a short ball from Tongue straight to Ollie Pope at square leg. His innings included 30 boundaries and three sixes, earning a standing ovation from the Edgbaston crowd and handshakes from England players.
England wrapped up the tail within 30 minutes, with Shoaib Bashir leading the bowling figures with 3-167 from 45 overs.
India’s bowling attack, minus their spearhead Jasprit Bumrah who was rested, initially faced scrutiny. But debutant Akash Deep made an immediate impact, dismissing first Test centurions Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks in consecutive deliveries.
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Siraj followed up by removing Zak Crawley for 19, reducing England to 25-3.
Brook narrowly survived an lbw appeal off Siraj on 1 and had a close call in the final over, chopping the ball onto his stumps but managing to avoid stepping on them.