If Mohammed Siraj was the chief wrecker in the first innings, it was the turn of Akash Deep in the second as the fast bowler took 6 for 99 to ensure India’s win in the second test at Edgbaston, Birmingham on the fifth day. India won the match by 336 runs. Put in to chase a mammoth 608 runs, England were bowled out for 271 in 68.1 overs. The Indians have now squared the series and breached the ‘Birmingham ghost’. India never won a test match here.

The Indian bowlers were relentless with Akash Deep leading the pack with some hostile bowling with good support from Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Ravindra Jadeja. The fielding too improved with Mohammed Siraj taking a blinder to get rid of Josh Tongue off the bowling of Jadeja. At that point, India was just needing one more wicket for a historic win.The final day was not without suspense due to rain delay and overcast conditions but Akash Deep struck in short spells with able support from Washington Sundar.

Memorable win for Gill

It will remain an unforgettable test match for Shubman Gill, both as a captain and a batter as it was the first win as a skipper at a venue where India never won in the past. The new India captain scored a double hundred in the first innings and followed it up with a hundred in the second and amassed 430 runs, the second highest aggregate in a Test behind Graham Gooch’s 456 against India in 1990.

The series is now tied 1-1, with three more Tests to be played.