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🇮🇳 Akash Deep Leads India to Historic Test Win at Edgbaston
Akash Deep delivered a spellbinding performance as India thrashed England by 336 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston, leveling the five-match series 1-1. He grabbed 10 wickets for 187 runs, including 6 for 99 in the second innings, which are now the best match figures by an Indian in England. As a result, India not only claimed their first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, but also registered their biggest overseas win in terms of runs.
🌧️ Despite Rain, Akash Deep Strikes Early
Although rain pushed the start of Day 5 by over 100 minutes, Akash Deep made an immediate impact. Bowling from the Pavilion End, he cleaned up Ollie Pope and trapped Harry Brook LBW with a delivery that jagged back in. Consequently, England’s hopes of survival were dented within the opening overs.
At the other end, Prasidh Krishna offered excellent support with a much-improved spell. His consistency allowed Akash to operate in full rhythm, posing constant threats outside the off stump.
💪 Akash Deep Breaks England’s Backbone
Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith fought hard, adding a valuable 50-run stand. However, their resistance was short-lived. Just before lunch, Washington Sundar dismissed Stokes LBW, a crucial breakthrough that shifted momentum back to India.
After the interval, Smith reached his half-century and started playing more freely. Nevertheless, India brought back Akash Deep, who responded immediately. He removed Chris Woakes with a short ball and dismissed Smith for 88 with a back-of-length delivery that was caught in the deep. That scalp gave him his first-ever five-wicket haul in Tests. Furthermore, he later dismissed Brydon Carse to complete his 10-wicket match haul, sealing his place in the record books.
💯 Shubman Gill’s Twin Centuries Set the Foundation
While Akash Deep dominated with the ball, Shubman Gill led from the front with the bat. The Indian skipper scored a majestic 269 in the first innings, the highest by an Indian Test captain, and followed it with 161 in the second innings.
Significantly, Gill stitched crucial partnerships—203 with Ravindra Jadeja and 144 with Washington Sundar—which enabled India to post a mammoth total of 587 in the first innings. Though England responded with a 303-run stand between Smith and Harry Brook (158), India’s lead of 180 was ensured through Siraj’s 6/70 and Akash’s 4/88.
🔁 Late Declaration Works in India’s Favour
India declared at 427/6 on Day 4, setting England a daunting target of 608. Initially, there was debate over whether the declaration came too late. However, the decision proved to be tactically sound. India grabbed three wickets in the final hour of Day 4, putting England on the back foot.
Thanks to their clinical execution, India maintained pressure into Day 5, never allowing England to settle.
🎯 Final Push: Akash Deep Completes the Job
Despite the earlier delay due to rain, India continued with intensity. Once Smith fell to Akash Deep, England’s lower order began to crumble. Although Brydon Carse attempted to fight back, Siraj took a sharp catch at short midwicket to dismiss Josh Tongue off Jadeja’s bowling.
Eventually, Akash returned to deliver the final blow, removing Carse with a miscued shot caught by Shubman Gill. That sealed a memorable win and a historic individual performance.
📊 Match Summary
India 587 (Gill 269, Jadeja 89, Jaiswal 87; Bashir 3-167)
& 427/6 decl. (Gill 161, Jadeja 69*, Pant 65; Tongue 2-93)
beat England 407 (Smith 184*, Brook 158; Siraj 6-70, Akash Deep 4-88)
& 271 (Smith 88, Carse 38; Akash Deep 6-99)
by 336 runs
🏆 Akash Deep’s Incredible Feat in Numbers
- 🔟 10/187 – Best match figures by an Indian in England
- 🏟️ First-ever Indian Test win at Edgbaston
- 👑 Gill’s 269 – Highest score by an Indian Test captain
- 💯 Gill’s 430 runs – Second-highest aggregate by an Indian in a Test
