India Secures Historic Test Victory Over England at Edgbaston
Celebrating a Milestone Win
Birmingham [UK], July 7: Following a remarkable 336-run victory against England at Edgbaston, Indian captain Shubman Gill and his teammates expressed their joy over the impressive performance. This win not only equalized the five-match series at 1-1 but also marked India's inaugural Test victory at Edgbaston. The commanding nature of the win garnered widespread praise, especially for skipper Shubman Gill, who scored 269 and 161 in the two innings, leading the team effectively. Akash Deep's outstanding 10-wicket haul was crucial in dismantling England's batting lineup. Gill shared his thoughts on social media, stating, "Be in love with the grind and the game will give back."
Players Reflect on the Historic Match
Indian batter KL Rahul took to Instagram to commemorate the occasion, saying, "One for the record books, Edgbaston." This victory is set to be remembered as one of India's finest performances in overseas Tests, showcasing a blend of youthful talent and strategic brilliance, paving the way for an exciting contest at the Home of Cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal also shared his excitement on Instagram, stating, "Wonderful game, really enjoyed it with everyone." Akash Deep added, "History made at Edgbaston -- grit, glory, and a game we'll never forget. Serving the nation with pride." Rishabh Pant, the vice-captain, echoed the sentiment with a post saying, "Amazing win."
India's Dominant First Innings
In the match, England chose to field first. After an early dismissal of KL Rahul (2), an 80-run partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal (87 off 107 balls, including 13 fours) and Karun Nair (31 off 50 balls, with five fours) helped India stabilize. Captain Shubman Gill formed significant partnerships, scoring 269 runs off 387 balls, including 30 fours and three sixes, with Ravindra Jadeja (89 off 137 balls) and Washington Sundar (42 off 103 balls) contributing valuable runs. India posted a total of 587 runs. Shoaib Bashir was the standout bowler for England with figures of 3/167.
In England's first innings, they struggled at 84/5, but a remarkable 303-run partnership between Harry Brook (158 off 234 balls) and Jamie Smith (184* off 207 balls) turned the tide. However, Siraj (6/70) and Akash Deep (4/88) capitalized on the new ball, taking the last five wickets for just 20 runs, leaving England at 407 runs and giving India a 180-run lead.
India's Second Innings Onslaught
India's second innings began with a quick half-century partnership between Jaiswal (28 off 22 balls) and KL Rahul, who scored 55 off 84 balls with ten boundaries. A 110-run partnership between Rishabh Pant (65 off 58 balls) and Gill intensified the attack, with Gill adding another 161 runs off 162 balls, including 13 fours and eight sixes, alongside Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 69*. India declared at 427/6, setting England a daunting target of 608 runs. During the chase, England faltered at 50/3, with Jamie Smith (88 off 99 balls) being the only bright spot as they were bowled out for 271 runs, resulting in a 336-run defeat, thanks to Akash Deep's impressive 6/99.