On day four of the second Test at Edgbaston (July 6, 2025), India handed England a staggering target of 608 runs, after declaring at 427/6, riding high on Shubman Gill’s phenomenal 161—his second century of the match—while Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj rocked the English top order .
🎯 Gill’s Show‑Stealing Knock
Skipper Gill has been nothing short of sensational. First, a double century (269), then a brilliant 161 off just 162 balls peppered with 13 fours and 8 sixes. His leadership with the bat underlined India’s overwhelming control . He now stands as one of the few elite players with centuries in both innings of a Test—truly historical at Edgbaston.
🔥 Akash Deep & Siraj Rattle England
Akash Deep was India’s bowling revelation, snagging 2 key wickets (Ben Duckett and Joe Root) to leave England reeling at 72/3 by stumps. Siraj joined the party with a crucial scalp (Zak Crawley) and relentless pressure. England’s top order was in tatters—just 30/2 at one stage—perfect setup for day five .
📌 England’s Herculean Chase
With 7 wickets in hand, England begin day five needing 536 runs—a historic ask. No Test side has ever chased beyond 418 runs, and the Edgbaston record stands at 378 . Ollie Pope (16*) and Harry Brook (6*) held firm to close on 48/2 in 9 overs .
🧩 Tactical Shifts & Mental Game
India’s declaration at 427/6 bought them two full sessions to take 10 wickets—bold and calculated . England’s bowlers, exhausted from earlier burdens, now must summon fresh reserves. Meanwhile, England’s batters like Pope and Brook need nerves of steel to survive day five.
📊 Scorecard Snapshot
| Team | Runs | Notable Batting | Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 587 & 427/6 d | Gill 161, Pant 65, Jadeja 69 | Deep 2/36, Siraj 1/29 |
| England | 407 & 72/3 | Duckett 25, Pope 24*, Brook 15* | — |
India leads by 72/3 at stumps, and sights firmly set on victory .
⚡ Key Turning Points
- Gill’s twin centuries made the difference—historic brilliance that crushed England’s hopes.
- Deep & Siraj’s evening burst ensured England entered day five under siege.
- Bold declaration gave India 77.3 overs of bowling time—smart Test strategy.
🔭 Day Five Prognosis
England will need extraordinary resilience and batting depth—far beyond Edgbaston’s chase records. India, armed with momentum and confidence, aim to wrap it up early by exploiting conditions and fielding pressure acts.