The last day at Edgbaston has burst into dramatics, passion, and an overpowering Indian performance that has placed them at the doorstep of a historic Test win in England. With only five English wickets left, India is walking towards their first triumph at this legendary ground after more than five decades, rewriting the history of subcontinental woes in England.
Rain Delay, but No Rust
Play was held up by a passing shower, with a new start time of 5:10 PM IST and an abbreviated 80-over day. But once play resumed, India did not waste any time bringing out their bowling arsenal. The pitch might have been dried up, but Akash Deep was like red-hot iron.
Akash Deep – The Breakthrough Star
In only his second Test game, Akash Deep has become a revelation. Swinging the ball both ways, he attacked England’s top order and took out Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root in a dream spell. At the end of Day 4 stumps, England were 56/2. In just 30 minutes today, they were 83/5. His pinpoint precision, upright seam, and relentless aggression have added a fresh venom to India’s pace arsenal.
Shubman Gill’s Golden Bat
We cannot forget the match winner—Shubman Gill. His twin centuries (128 & 161) have yielded a gargantuan 430 runs in this game alone, making him the second-most prolific scorer in a single Test behind Graham Gooch. Gill not only batted; he orchestrated. His spin footwork, pressure-resistance, and measured stroke-play were a lesson in contemporary Test batting.
Gill’s defiant statement left England requiring 608 for victory—a goal that was on the lines of science fiction, particularly against a smooth Indian bowling attack.
Captaincy Under The Scanner?
While Gill has been praised for his runs, his declaration timing attracted mixed views. England’s former captain Nasser Hussain wondered if the declaration was a little too late, implying India could have tried to get more time to bowl out England. But having five wickets in hand already and with many overs remaining, Gill could just prove his critics wrong by getting the win regardless.
England in Tatters
England’s celebrated “Bazball” aggression was nowhere to be found as they fell apart against India’s sustained barrage. Joe Root’s premature departure was a significant setback, and with Ben Stokes still in the game, everything now depends on another rescue act by the skipper.
Even Michael Vaughan on air conceded that “a draw is England’s best shot,” a long way from the customary fightback from the home team.
Match Summary (Until Day 5 Morning)
India 1st Innings: 397 all out
England 1st Innings: 186 all out
India 2nd Innings: 397/4 dec
England 2nd Innings: 110/5 (target: 608)
Final Thoughts – A Statement Test for Team India
India’s show at Edgbaston has been nothing less than statement-making. They’ve dominated across the board—be it with the bat, the ball, in the field, or through sheer mental toughness. If they seal this win, it’ll not only be a match win—it’ll be a statement moment for the future generation of Indian cricket players.
England, meanwhile, is looking down the barrel of a tactical failure. Their legendary aggression has failed to convert to runs, and their bowling was short of bite on a seam-friendly track.
As Day 5 progresses, this one thing is certain: India is not winning a Test match—they are overcoming an old psychological hurdle in England.
