Birmingham, July 5, 2025 – England face an enormous challenge heading into the final day of the second Test match against India, as they were reeling at 73 for 3 at stumps on Day 4, in pursuit of a massive 608-run target.
With 536 runs still required and seven wickets in hand, only a miracle or rain interruption can prevent an India victory.
The day started on a hopeful note for England, as overcast conditions aided swing and seam movement. Brydon Carse used the conditions well, removing Karun Nair early. Soon after, KL Rahul departed for a well-made 55. However, Rishabh Pant then counter-attacked in trademark style, shifting momentum back to India. A key moment came when Zak Crawley dropped Pant on just 10, a costly miss as Pant went on to score freely.
By the time India declared, they had amassed a towering lead of 607 runs, thanks largely to a dominant partnership between Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja. Initially conservative, the pair launched an aggressive assault after Tea. Jadeja brought up his second fifty of the match, while Gill smashed an extraordinary 161. With a combined total of 430 runs in the match, Gill surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s long-standing record for the most runs by an Indian in a single Test.
India’s dominance was not limited to the bat. With the ball, their pace duo Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj once again delivered early breakthroughs. Deep bowled a stunning delivery to dismiss Joe Root, sending a strong message to the remaining England batters. The visitors looked fatigued and mentally drained after spending nearly two full days in the field.
Session-wise, Day 4 saw India add 195 runs in just 31 overs while losing five wickets. The pitch remained true, with no significant signs of deterioration, though the new ball continued to assist bowlers.
Heading into Day 5, the match is poised heavily in India’s favor. With the surface still behaving well, England’s only realistic path to saving the match lies in batting out the day for a draw. However, with seven wickets in hand and India’s bowlers in rhythm, even that seems a steep ask in this gripping Test showdown.