Siraj and Akash Deep wreck England’s top-order as India sets 608-run target and closes in on victory after a commanding all-round performance at Edgbaston.
Birmingham [UK], July 6 — India dominated Day 4 of the Edgbaston Test, needing just seven more wickets to square the five-match series 1-1 after a fierce new-ball spell by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep left England reeling at 72/3, chasing a massive 608-run target.
India’s pace duo struck early in England’s second innings on a pitch that had looked benign all day. Siraj drew first blood, dismissing Zak Crawley for a seven-ball duck, while Akash Deep bowled Ben Duckett with a delivery that nipped in sharply, sending the opener back for a quickfire 25. He then delivered a peach to Joe Root, knocking over the stumps and reducing England to 44/3.
At stumps, Harry Brook (15)* and Ollie Pope (24)* were holding on for England, still 556 runs adrift, after a day thoroughly dominated by the tourists.
Earlier, India declared at 427/6 in their second innings, led by a breathtaking knock from Shubman Gill, who followed his double century in the first innings with a stunning 161 off 162 balls. Gill went on the offensive from the start of the final session, smashing Chris Woakes for a six and back-to-back fours, and continued his onslaught against Shoaib Bashir and others, drawing comparisons to England’s own “Bazball” style.
India’s innings had gathered momentum in the second session, which began at 177/3 with Gill on 24 and Pant on 41. Pant raced to his third fifty-plus score of the series with a 65 off 58 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. The duo added a 110-run stand, helping India cross the 250, 300, and eventually 400-run marks before Pant fell trying to clear the ropes.
Ravindra Jadeja (unbeaten) supported Gill brilliantly, contributing to a strong fifth-wicket partnership. Washington Sundar added a brief but explosive 12 off 7 balls before India declared, leaving England with a mountain to climb.
Earlier in the day, KL Rahul (55 off 80 balls) and Karun Nair (26) had added crucial runs. Rahul notched his fifty before being bowled by Josh Tongue, who had earlier removed Nair. Rishabh Pant and Gill then launched a counterattack, with Pant going after both Tongue and Bashir. Their partnership came up in just 51 balls, underscoring India’s aggressive intent.
Gill reached his eighth Test century in 129 balls, following up on his first-innings 269—a performance for the ages. India’s second innings surge began with fireworks and ended with a declaration that left England a seemingly impossible target.
In England’s first innings, despite being reduced to 89/5, a mammoth 303-run partnership between Jamie Smith (184) and Harry Brook (158)* had rescued them to 407 all out, trailing India’s first-innings total of 587 by 180 runs. Mohammed Siraj had led India’s bowling effort with six wickets.
As Day 5 approaches, India stands on the brink of a series-leveling win, with England still needing 556 runs and only seven wickets in hand.