Gill’s Team India Take Command, Eye Rare Win at Edgbaston
[By Our Correspondent]
Edgbaston: On Day 3 of the second Test, Team India, under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, moved into a commanding position. After bowling out England for 407 in their first innings, India built on their 180-run first-innings lead to reach 244/1 by stumps, effectively 424 runs ahead with two full days to play.
This has presented India with another golden chance to seal victory — especially after the heartbreak in Leeds where, despite scoring five centuries, poor fielding and average bowling cost them the match.
India’s quest for a first-ever Test win at Edgbaston is alive — a venue long regarded as a British fortress.
Yashasvi Falls, Rahul and Nair Rebuild
India’s second innings saw an aggressive start by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who struck 28 runs off just 22 balls before falling to Josh Tongue. At stumps, KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 28, while Karun Nair was batting on 7.
England’s Record-Breaking but Incomplete Fightback
Earlier in the day, England’s first innings ended at 407 — courtesy of a 303-run stand for the 6th wicket between Jamie Smith (184 off 207)* and Harry Brook (158 off 234). It was a valiant recovery from a shaky start, and their partnership now holds two notable Test records:
1. Lowest team total (407) with a 300+ run partnership.
2. Lowest total (407) with two individual scores above 150.
Brook was bowled by debutant Akash Deep for 158, earning a standing ovation. Smith carried his bat with a flawless century.
Indian Bowlers Deliver: Siraj 6, Akash Deep 4
Mohammed Siraj led the attack with 6 wickets for 70 runs.
Akash Deep, replacing Bumrah, impressed with 4 wickets for 88 runs.
Other bowlers — Prasidh Krishna, Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, and Washington Sundar — went wicketless despite disciplined spells.
India’s bowlers were especially effective after taking the second new ball, snapping up England’s final five wickets for just 20 runs (from 387 to 407).
India’s Strategy for Day 4: Set a 450+ Target?
With two full days remaining, India will likely aim to bat for one more session on Day 4, extending their lead to around 450 runs, before putting England back in to chase under pressure.
Given the conditions at Edgbaston — where the new ball still offers movement — India’s fast bowlers may yet again play a key role in delivering a historic overseas Test victory.
Verdict:
India are in the driver’s seat with a massive lead and a psychological edge. If Shubman Gill’s men manage to capitalize on this advantage, they could script history at a venue where they’ve never tasted Test victory.