England mounted a thrilling comeback against India at Edgbaston, thanks to record-breaking performances from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith on Day 3 of the second Test. After India posted a massive first-innings total of 587, England found themselves in deep trouble at 84-5, but Brook and Smith launched a stunning counter-attack, rewriting record books along the way.

India's formidable score was built upon a masterful double century by Shubman Gill, who scored 269 runs. Ravindra Jadeja contributed a solid 89, and Yashasvi Jaiswal added 87. England's Shoaib Bashir took 3 wickets for 167 runs, while Chris Woakes managed 2 for 81.

England's reply started poorly, with Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj striking early blows. Siraj dismissed Joe Root and Ben Stokes in successive deliveries, leaving England reeling. Stokes' dismissal was his first golden duck in Test cricket.

However, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith had other plans. Smith, playing in his 12th Test, unleashed an aggressive innings, reaching his century in just 80 balls. This feat equaled Brook's own record of an 80-ball century against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022. Only Gilbert Jessop (76 balls vs Australia, 1902) and Jonny Bairstow (77 balls vs New Zealand, 2022) have scored faster Test centuries for England. Smith's century is also the fastest by an English player against India in Test cricket.

Brook, not to be outdone, also reached his century, his ninth in Test cricket. Together, Brook and Smith forged a remarkable 303-run partnership for the sixth wicket, scoring at nearly the pace of a One-Day International. This stand is the highest sixth-wicket partnership for England against India in Tests, surpassing the previous record of 189 runs held by Chris Woakes and Jonny Bairstow. It is also the highest-ever partnership for the sixth wicket at Edgbaston in Test cricket, exceeding the previous record held by Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant.

Several other records were broken during their incredible partnership. Smith became the first English wicketkeeper in almost five years to score a Test 150. At the time Smith reached 173*, it was the highest Test score for an England wicketkeeper. Brook and Smith also became the second pair of England batters to score 150+ runs in an innings against India in Tests.

At tea on Day 3, Smith was 157 not out and Brook was unbeaten on 140, their partnership worth 271. England reached 355-5, significantly reducing the deficit and all but erasing the possibility of a follow-on. The duo's counter-attacking approach completely shifted the momentum of the match, putting India under pressure.

While Brook and Smith fell short of breaking the highest sixth-wicket partnership for England in Tests (399 by Jonny Bairstow & Ben Stokes vs SA, Cape Town, 2016), their stand will be remembered as one of the most thrilling and impactful in recent memory. Their aggressive strokeplay and unwavering intent demonstrated the spirit of "Bazball" and reignited England's hopes in the second Test at Edgbaston.