Birmingham, July 3, 2025 – In what will be remembered as one of the most dominant individual performances in recent Test history, Shubman Gill’s masterful 269 has powered India into a commanding position against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Day 2 of the second Test match.
India declared their first innings on a mammoth 587, and England, after toiling under the Birmingham sun for over 150 overs, ended the day at a shaky 77 for 3. The second day belonged entirely to India, with their captain’s breathtaking knock providing the spine of a crushing first-innings total that left England reeling.
Gill, leading India with remarkable poise, became only the sixth Indian captain to score a double century in Tests, and his 269 is now etched into the annals of India-England Test rivalry. Starting the day watchfully, Gill gradually accelerated, turning his patient half-century into a record-shattering double ton. His partnership with Washington Sundar, worth 144 runs, stretched England’s resources to the limit as the hosts ran out of answers under grey skies in Birmingham.
Post-lunch, India built further on their innings as Gill moved from strength to strength, dealing with everything England threw at him—spin, swing, and short balls. Despite England’s rotation of bowlers and their attempts at reverse swing on a worn-out pitch, Gill stayed composed. He batted for over nine hours, eventually falling to a weary delivery after crossing 250. The Indian innings wrapped up shortly after, but the psychological and physical toll on England was evident.
With the bat, England stumbled early. Siraj and debutant Akash Deep struck early, reducing the home side to 25 for 3 in front of a stunned Birmingham crowd. The fiery spell saw Duckett and Pope—heroes of the previous Test—depart in consecutive deliveries. Joe Root and Harry Brook then steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership that gave England a glimmer of hope heading into Day 3.
Gill’s post-match reflections revealed his focus on grinding out runs and returning to basics. Speaking from Birmingham, he admitted to making mental adjustments during his innings, acknowledging that prior lapses in concentration had cost him big scores. He credited his training during the IPL, preparing early for the Test format, and highlighted how adapting from T20 to Test cricket remains a significant challenge.
On the fielding side, India showed remarkable discipline, even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Akash Deep’s fiery opening spell set the tone, while the rest of the attack maintained relentless pressure. England’s bowlers, though committed, faltered tactically by overusing the short-ball ploy on a slow surface that begged for stump-to-stump accuracy.
As the match heads into Day 3, India holds all the aces. With the pitch at Birmingham starting to show signs of wear and bounce variation, England’s middle order will face a stern test. For now, though, the spotlight remains firmly on Shubman Gill—the hero of Birmingham—and a captain whose innings may have already shaped the outcome of this gripping Test battle between India and England.