India stands on the verge of a historic Test victory against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, but the weather forecast suggests rain could play a significant role on the final day. After setting a formidable target of 608 runs, India needs just seven wickets to level the series 1-1. England, on the other hand, will be hoping for a downpour or a miraculous batting performance to salvage a draw.
On Day 4, India declared their second innings at 427/6, built around a magnificent century from Shubman Gill. Gill scored 161 off 162 balls, following up on his first-innings double century of 269. His performance has put him in the record books as the second-highest aggregate in a Test match for India, only behind Graham Gooch. Substantial contributions from KL Rahul (55), Rishabh Pant (65), and Ravindra Jadeja (69*) further propelled India's lead.
England ended Day 4 at 72/3, with Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj taking crucial wickets. Akash Deep struck twice, dismissing Ben Duckett and Joe Root, while Siraj removed Zak Crawley. England now requires an improbable 536 runs to win, a chase that would require them to score at an unprecedented rate.
The weather forecast for Day 5 is a mixed bag. There is a high probability of rain in the morning, with some forecasts suggesting a 79% to 90% chance of showers. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM local time, and the rain could potentially delay the start, washing out the first session. However, the forecast improves as the day progresses, with the chance of rain decreasing to around 22% by 1:00 PM. The final four hours of play are expected to be uninterrupted.
The persistent cloud cover and strong wind gusts could favor India's pace attack, creating conditions conducive to seam and swing bowling. India will rely on Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and their other bowlers to exploit these conditions and secure the remaining wickets. The potential availability of the second new ball could also be a key factor for India.
Edgbaston has historically been a challenging venue for India, with zero wins in eight previous Tests. A victory in this Test would mark a significant milestone for the team, rewriting their history at the ground. However, if rain shortens play, England might aim for a draw, which would be their best possible outcome given the current match situation.
Both teams are hoping for different outcomes from the weather. India will be praying that the weather holds long enough for them to take the remaining wickets and level the series. England will be hoping for a significant downpour that could thwart India's chances and potentially secure a draw. The overcast conditions are expected to persist throughout the day.
