Team India has finally conquered Edgbaston, securing a historic Test victory after a 58-year wait, leveling the series 1-1 against England. This momentous win, achieved under the leadership of Shubman Gill, marks India's first-ever Test win at this venue in Birmingham. The victory was especially sweet, coming after losing the first game of the series and playing without key pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Shubman Gill led the charge with a record-breaking performance, etching his name in the history books. Gill became the first batter in Test history to score a double century and 150 in the same match. He also became the youngest Indian captain to win a Test overseas, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar's previous record. Gill's scores of 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second innings demonstrated exceptional batting prowess and leadership. His aggregate of 430 runs in the match is the second-highest by any batter at Edgbaston, only behind Graham Gooch's 456 against India in 1990.
Gill's first innings score of 269 is the highest score by an Indian captain in Tests, surpassing Virat Kohli's unbeaten 254 against South Africa in Pune in 2019. It is also the highest score by an Indian captain abroad, bettering Sachin Tendulkar's 241* at Sydney in 2004. Gill now stands third in away Tests behind Sehwag (309 in Multan) and Dravid (270 in Rawalpindi, 2004). He joins Sunil Gavaskar (221 in 1979) and Rahul Dravid (217 in 2002) as the only Indian double-centurions in England. Gill's 269 is the seventh-highest score by any Indian in Tests and the eighth-highest by a visiting batter in an England Test.
Throughout the Edgbaston Test, Gill was involved in three 100-plus partnerships, a feat previously achieved by only a few Indian batters in away Tests, including Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. He partnered with Rishabh Pant (55) for a 110-run stand and Ravindra Jadeja for a 68-run stand. Gill is only the second Indian and ninth overall to score a double century and a century in the same Test match, after Sunil Gavaskar. He is also the second captain to do so in England, following Graham Gooch's effort against India at Lord's in 1990.
The victory at Edgbaston was a comprehensive team effort. Akash Deep played a crucial role with a 10-wicket match haul, including a six-wicket haul in the final innings. Mohammed Siraj also contributed significantly with a total of 7 wickets. Other batsmen, including Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, made valuable contributions throughout the match.
India's monumental batting performance, led by Gill's twin centuries, put them in a commanding position. In the fourth innings, India declared at 427/6, setting England a daunting 608-run chase. England were eventually bowled out for 271, handing India a 336-run victory. This win not only levels the series but also marks a significant milestone in India's Test cricket history, breaking the Edgbaston hoodoo after 58 long years. With this win, India has opened their account in the World Test Championship 2025-27.
