Birmingham, July 6, 2025 — The tension is palpable at Edgbaston as India inch closer to a landmark victory over England in the second Test of the series.
On the fifth and final day in Birmingham, the hosts find themselves in deep trouble at 100 for 5, still needing an improbable 508 more runs to win or, more realistically, to survive the entire day to salvage a draw.
The day began with high expectations, but England crumbled under early pressure. India’s pace sensation Akash Deep lit up the morning session with a fiery spell, snatching four crucial wickets and breaking the backbone of the England batting lineup. His removal of Joe Root with a peach of a delivery set the tone, and the Indian fielders rallied behind him with tight lines and sharp catching.
England had already faced a mountain to climb after finishing Day 4 at 73 for 3 in pursuit of a monumental 608-run target set by India. With cloud cover aiding swing, Brydon Carse gave England a brief glimmer of hope by dismissing Karun Nair and KL Rahul early in the day. However, that hope was soon extinguished as Rishabh Pant responded with a brutal counterattack. A dropped catch by Zak Crawley, when Pant was on 10, proved costly as the Indian wicketkeeper capitalized with a flurry of boundaries.
The foundation for India’s commanding position was laid through a dominant batting display on Day 4, led by Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja. The pair amassed a massive lead with their aggressive approach after Tea. Gill scored a masterful 161, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s record for most runs by an Indian in a single Test, while Jadeja struck his second fifty of the match. Their combined efforts propelled India to declare with a 607-run lead, putting the pressure squarely on the hosts.
With the pitch at Birmingham still playing true and no signs of deterioration, the final day was always going to test England’s grit and determination. But with Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj hitting their stride, India are in full control. Only five wickets now stand between them and a historic away win in Birmingham, with England hanging by a thread in this high-stakes Test battle.