The second Test at Edgbaston has witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, thanks to the outstanding performances of Indian pacers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj. India defeated England by 336 runs, leveling the series 1-1 after losing the first Test at Headingley. This victory marks India's first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, breaking a 58-year-old jinx.
Akash Deep, stepping in for the rested Jasprit Bumrah, proved to be the unlikely hero of the match. He bagged a remarkable 10-wicket haul, with 4/88 in the first innings and 6/99 in the second, becoming only the second Indian bowler to claim 10 wickets in a Test match on English soil after Chetan Sharma in 1986. His crucial strikes, especially on the final day, derailed England's hopes of saving the Test. He removed Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in quick succession, and later dismissed top-scorer Jamie Smith, showcasing his ability to exploit the conditions with skiddy seamers and variations in angle.
Mohammed Siraj, the leader of the attack in Bumrah's absence, also played a pivotal role, taking six wickets in the first innings. Siraj's first innings figures of 6/70 helped restrict England's first innings total. Together, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj claimed 17 wickets on a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers throughout the five days.
The Edgbaston pitch offered inconsistent bounce, which Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj exploited effectively. While English bowlers focused on hitting the surface for bounce and movement, which faded as the ball aged, the Indian pacers concentrated on skidding the ball onto the deck. This strategy proved highly successful, leading to numerous dismissals and keeping the English batsmen under constant pressure.
India's victory was also built on strong batting performances. Shubman Gill led the charge with the bat, scoring 269 and 161 in the two innings. His twin hundreds set the foundation for India's massive target. Ravindra Jadeja (89 and 69*), Yashasvi Jaiswal (87), Rishabh Pant (65), and KL Rahul (55) also made valuable contributions, ensuring India posted a formidable total.
Chasing a record target of 608, England were bowled out for 271 in their second innings. Jamie Smith, with scores of 184 and 88, was the only English batsman to offer substantial resistance.
The win at Edgbaston is particularly significant as it demonstrates India's ability to win anywhere, even without their ace pacer Bumrah. It also highlights the effectiveness of Shubman Gill's captaincy, who led the team from the front with both bat and strategy. Gill not only registered his first-ever Test win as captain but also emerged as the top run-scorer of the match.
With the series now level at 1-1, the momentum has shifted sharply in favor of India. The third Test at Lord's is scheduled to begin on July 10. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to return for the Lord's Test and Jofra Archer potentially joining the English side, the series is beautifully poised for an exciting contest.
